Stricter CO2 emissions standards for new cars and vans come into force

A new EU Regulation setting stricter CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles (vans) in the EU came into force on 1 January.

Manufacturers will now have to meet new stricter targets set for the fleet-wide average emissions of new cars and vans registered in a given calendar year.

By 2025, manufacturers will need to reduce fleet-wide emission by 15% for both cars and vans, compared to 2021 levels.

By 2030, they will need to reach a 37.5% reduction for cars and 31% reduction for vans.

The EU's transport sector did not record any significant decline in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. Figures from the European Environment Agency show that of all means of transport in the EU, road transport generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions (72.9 % in 2016) and is responsible for around 20% of the EU’s total GHG emissions.

The Regulation also includes a mechanism to incentivise the uptake of zero- and low-emission vehicles, in a technology-neutral way.

The new Regulation will reduce fuel consumption costs for consumers and strengthen the competitiveness of the EU automotive industry, while stimulating employment and contributing to the achievement of the EU's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The new rules provide for a smooth transition towards zeroemission mobility, allowing sufficient time for reskilling of workers in the automotive sector and sending a clear signal to potential investors in refuelling and recharging infrastructure.