EU Carmakers Urged Review of 'Unfeasible' CO2 Targets

European automakers and suppliers had pressed the EU to revise its ambitious vehicle CO2 reduction goals, warning that the 2030 and 2035 targets were no longer feasible. In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, industry leaders reiterated their commitment to net zero by 2050 but highlighted mounting challenges.

The sector had flagged critical issues including heavy reliance on Asian battery supply chains, insufficient charging infrastructure, higher production costs, and U.S. tariffs. They stressed that rigid mandates alone could not drive the transition, particularly as electric vehicles made up only 15% of new EU car sales and 9% of vans.

Instead, automakers had called for a broader technology mix—spanning EVs, hybrids, hydrogen, and decarbonised fuels—while also urging a review of heavy-duty vehicle regulations. They warned that enforcing a 100% switch by 2035 risked undermining Europe’s competitiveness at a time of rising global pressures.

The debate came ahead of von der Leyen’s scheduled meeting with auto executives on September 12, aimed at shaping a realistic and resilient roadmap for the sector’s future.