European electric transport groups are urging the European Union (EU) to stick to strong 2025 car emission rules instead of making them easier. They wrote a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, saying the EU should not allow delays in lowering carbon dioxide emissions from cars or change how fines are calculated. They want any fines to help pay for the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
Some car makers in Europe are struggling to compete with cheaper Chinese cars and fear hefty fines that could reach 15 billion euros if they can’t meet the emission limits by 2025. However, the electric transport groups believe that extending the deadline will only delay Europe’s progress in electric vehicles and hurt investments in charging stations and battery manufacturing.
E-Mobility Europe and ChargeUp Europe, the groups that sent the letter, represent EV makers and those who build charging stations. They insisted that Europe’s charging stations are not as crowded as car makers claim and actually have room for many more vehicles. Aurélien de Meaux, a guy in charge of a charging company, warned that loosening the car rules would be a big mistake.
The groups pointed to the launch of 11 new affordable EV models and a 40% rise in EV sales in January 2025 as proof that meeting the 2025 targets is possible. De Meaux also mentioned that the 15 billion euro fine estimates were incorrect and that real fines could be around 4 to 6 billion euros, which could be halved using credit trading.
Both groups support setting targets or offering incentives for business car fleets to go electric since they make up about 60% of new car sales.
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