fr flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by AFP.

Automobile: von der Leyen announces a ‘flexibility’ to avoid CO2 fines in 2025

by AI | 03.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The European Union is preparing measures to prevent car manufacturers from paying heavy fines if they do not sufficiently reduce CO2 emissions.

A Volkswagen Passat displays CO2 emission data on its side at the Frankfurt Auto Show in western Germany on September 22, 2015. (Photo: DANIEL ROLAND/AFP)

Brussels – The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced on Monday a flexibility mechanism to prevent car manufacturers lagging behind on CO2 emissions reduction targets from paying fines in 2025.

This mechanism will involve taking into account emissions over three years, from 2025 to 2027, instead of a single year, which will give latecomers time to catch up, without penalizing the good students who will have on their side an emissions credit. 

“The targets remain the same, but it means more flexibility for the industry,” said Ms. von der Leyen, following a second consultation meeting with industry leaders, including representatives from BMW, Renault, Stellantis (Peugeot, Citroën) and Volkswagen.

She promised “a targeted amendment” to the CO2 standards regulation before the end of the month. “I am sure that such a targeted amendment could be quickly approved by the European Parliament and the Council, because, of course, it only makes sense if it is approved quickly,” she said. (February 3, 2025)