Six EU nations unite to block stricter corporate fleet emission rules
There is currently no majority in sight for the proposal in the European Council, Handelsblatt reports (Wednesday edition), citing diplomatic and industry sources.
According to the report, several member states—led by Poland—are actively mobilizing against it. The German government had previously rejected the plans outright.
Poland, together with Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Greece, and Slovakia, has reportedly formed an alliance against the proposal. Instead of binding requirements, they are calling for a framework with incentives and less bureaucracy. They also view the potential impact on small and medium-sized enterprises with concern.
Germany's stance is pivotal: With Berlin's opposition, a qualified majority is now virtually unattainable. Insiders suggest the Council presidency may remove the issue from the agenda for the time being, effectively putting a key climate initiative at risk of failure. Company cars account for roughly 60 percent of all new registrations in the EU and are seen as a critical lever for the transport transition.
The push to decarbonize corporate fleets is part of a compromise proposal by the European Commission to move away from the previous rules for phasing out internal combustion engines. On one hand, fleet emission limits for manufacturers would be relaxed, requiring only a 90 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions from new car fleets by 2035. On the other, new binding targets for decarbonizing company fleets would be introduced.
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