Seven EU countries have urged Brussels to resist any rollback of CO2 standards for cars and vans, arguing that weakening emissions rules would endanger Europe’s climate objectives, economic competitiveness and energy security, according to a document seen by Euronews.
The plea from Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden comes after EU leaders, last December, eased a proposed European Commission ban on the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines by 2035 in response to pressure from several governments and automakers. Instead, the EU executive proposed a 90% reduction in car CO2 emissions by 2035.
In the informal document, the countries jointly reaffirmed their support for the rapid electrification of cars and vans across the bloc, calling for expanded charging infrastructure and incentives to stimulate consumer demand.
"The electrification trajectory of the European light vehicle fleet can reduce our exposure to future geopolitical crisis and fossil fuel price shocks. It is also a direct and sustainable response to increase affordability by shielding road users from rising fuel prices," reads the document.
Germany and Italy sought flexibility
