As part of its landmark ‘Fit for 55’ package of climate legislation, the European Union set a target for 100% of new car and van sales to be zero emission from 2035 onwards. This was agreed in the context of transport being set to make up nearly half of Europe’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2030, with cars burning petrol and diesel accounting for more than 40% of transport emissions. The law – which was agreed by EU governments and MEPs in March 2023 – is crucial to provide investment certainty and planning visibility to businesses across the entire automotive value chain.
The law says the target could be reviewed in 2026. Industry for 2035, with the assistance of Transport & Environment and the Climate Group’s EV100 initiative, brings together CEOs and Executives from companies and business associations which believe that the 2035 target is both feasible and necessary. The businesses are from the automotive, clean tech, transport and energy sectors in Europe.
They believe that policies adopted under the European Green Deal, including the CO2 emission standards for cars and vans, have not only given Europe a fighting chance to curb catastrophic climate change but are also a solid basis for long-term competitiveness and investment into the region.