25.4.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 110/7
(9)
In order to achieve a reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % compared to 1990 levels by 2030, it is necessary to strengthen the reduction requirements set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/631 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9) for both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
A clear pathway also needs to be set for further reductions beyond 2030 to contribute to achieving the climate-neutrality objective by 2050.
Without ambitious action on greenhouse gas emissions reductions in road transport, higher emissions reductions would be needed in other sectors, including sectors where decarbonisation is more challenging.
(10)
The strengthened CO2 emissions reduction requirements should encourage an increasing share of zero-emission vehicles to be deployed on the Union market while providing benefits to consumers and citizens in terms of air quality, strengthening energy security and efficiency, and the associated energy savings, as well as ensuring that innovation in the automotive value chain can be maintained.
Within the global context, the Union automotive value chain must be a leading actor in the ongoing transition towards zero-emission mobility.
The strengthened CO2 emissions reduction standards are technology neutral in reaching the fleet-wide targets that they set.
Different technologies are and remain available to reach the zero-emission fleet-wide target.
Zero-emission vehicles currently include battery electric vehicles, fuel-cell and other hydrogen powered vehicles, and technological innovations are continuing.
Zero- and low-emission vehicles, which also include well performing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, can continue to play a role in the transition pathway.
In that context, it is important to ensure accurate and complete data on the emission performance of those plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
(11)
Following consultation with stakeholders, the Commission will make a proposal for registering after 2035 vehicles running exclusively on CO2 neutral fuels in conformity with Union law, outside the scope of the fleet standards, and in conformity with the Union’s climate-neutrality objective.
(12)
Against that background, new strengthened CO2 emissions reduction targets should be set for both new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles from 2030 onwards.
Those targets should be set at a level that will deliver a strong signal to accelerate the uptake of zero-emission vehicles on the Union market and to stimulate innovation in zero-emission technologies in a cost-efficient way.
(13)
Technological innovation is a prerequisite for decarbonising mobility in the Union, and should therefore be supported.
Significant funding is already available for innovation in the mobility ecosystem through different Union funding instruments, in particular Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, established by Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council (10), InvestEU, established by Regulation (EU) 2021/523 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11), the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the innovation fund, established by Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (12), and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, established by Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council (13).
The Union and Member States should continue their efforts to support public and private investment in European automotive research and innovation, including through initiatives that promote synergies in the automotive sector, such as the European Battery Alliance.
Together with clear regulatory signals, those efforts will support and encourage investment decisions from manufacturers, maintain European technological leadership in that sector, help to develop industrial excellence in the technologies of the future in the Union and ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of its industrial base.
(9) Regulation (EU) 2019/631 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 setting CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 443/2009 and (EU) No 510/2011 (OJ L 111, 25.4.2019, p. 13).
(10) Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013 (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1).
(11) Regulation (EU) 2021/523 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 March 2021 establishing the InvestEU Programme and amending Regulation (EU) 2015/1017 (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 30).
(12) Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).
(13) Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17).