Following the European Commission’s mid-December proposal to revise the CO₂ emission standards for light-duty vehicles, the debate now moves to the European Parliament and Member States. As the co-legislators take over to define their positions, it is essential to clarify what the proposal does, -and does not- deliver for the decarbonisation of road transport, so that the debate can be kick-started on a realistic basis and deliver concrete results.
For the first time, the Commission acknowledges that renewable fuels, both biofuels and e-fuels, should be allowed to contribute to emissions reductions in new cars beyond 2035 under the CO2 standards. This marks a shift from the current Regulation’s approach that excludes renewable fuels in new cars from the post-2035 framework. However, recognition in words alone will not deliver results.
The question now is: “Does the proposal create real change on the ground or does it remain largely symbolic? Is this sufficient or does it fall short?”
The answer, at this stage, is truly concerning.
While renewable fuels are mentioned for their contribution to emissions savings, they are assigned only a minimal role, capped at a restrictive 3%, under a compensation mechanism that severely limits their potential impact and undermines their role in accelerating decarbonisation of road transport. (....)