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Prague – The Czech Republic will push for adjustments to the EU’s goals in the automotive industry. Key tasks will include accelerating the review of the ban on combustion engines and reassessing emissions limits for new passenger cars and vans for next year. At the same time, it will strive to introduce mechanisms for monitoring developments in the automotive market into the EU strategy. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) and Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS) stated this at today’s press conference. According to them, some of the current EU goals are unrealistic and threaten the competitiveness of the European automotive industry.
“Some of the goals of the Green Deal have proven to be unrealistic, and we will try to adjust them. Without changes, we threaten the future of the European automotive industry,” said Fiala. Therefore, the Czech Republic has approached other member states that may have the same goals. According to Kupka, this includes Germany and Italy. A joint initiative of like-minded member states should thus be created.
The main goal of the initiative will be, in particular, an earlier review of the impact of the ban on the sale of new cars with combustion engines in the EU, as the development of electromobility is, according to Fiala, slower than originally expected. Instead of the initially planned year of 2026, this measure should be revised next year. Another goal will also be to reassess the planned reduction of emissions limits for passenger cars for 2025. “Reality is different from what the EU targets assumed. If they continue to apply, car manufacturers in Europe face high fines and further loss of competitiveness,” added the Prime Minister. (October 4)