EU Ignores EV Sales Data, Waters Down Requirements

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Last Updated on: 9th May 2025, 02:46 am

The European Union (EU) has really dropped the ball. I’m not sure who exactly got to EU decision makers, or how they convinced these people to go backward when things were going so well, but the European Parliament today finalized a plan to scale back the EU’s CO₂ reduction targets for automakers.

The idea put forth was simple: CO₂ reduction targets were increasing too quickly and were too difficult for automakers to meet. Aside from the fact that automakers have had years to plan for this, Transport & Environment (T&E) points out that “European car manufacturers sold 45% more battery electric cars in the first three months of the year compared to the same period of 2024.”

In other words, automakers were on track and could have met the CO₂ reduction target for 2025. Instead, though, the target has been watered down, as they now have until 2027 to reach these reductions.

Why give them two more years to reach reductions they could have reached this year? That’s the billion-pound of CO2 question.

T&E also emphasized that slowing down the transition to EVs will put Europe further and further behind China. China already sells many more EV sales, and has much higher EV market share within its borders. Why can’t the EU do better?

“It’s ironic that the EU is delaying emissions targets for the car industry just as EV sales surge. The boom is thanks to new, more affordable models that the carmakers launched to comply with the original EU target. This delay will allow the industry to take the foot off the gas for the EV roll-out while also slowing down investments,” Lucien Mathieu, cars director at T&E, added.

Indeed. Except — I wouldn’t use the phrase “take the foot off the gas” here. Maybe it’s time to switch to “take the foot off the accelerator,” or “take the foot off the torque” for a little more fun? Anyway, though, the point is clear — automakers could have met the targets, and they were proving that, so why are policymakers watering down the requirements?

It’s truly a disappointing move from the EU. And in an age when we are really struggling in some other places (ahem, USA), we could have used more progress and ambition from Europe. Well, at least we’ve still got China leading the way. Let’s hope the EV giant doesn’t take its foot off of the torque. Though, I don’t think it will, as we can see that leadership is doing great things for China’s economic situation, air quality, public health, and growing automotive importance and exports in other markets around the world.

T&E also notes that this is “an unnecessary gift to the auto industry just as electric car sales are surging in Europe.” However, even while it is a gift, it is probably a harmful one for European automakers, and T&E also says the same in the next line: “It will only serve to hold back the transition to EVs and undermine investment certainty in European manufacturing.” Exactly. And it also slows down domestic automakers and makes them less likely to succeed in other markets around the world. It’s disappointing.