The European Parliament’s environment committee has backed a proposal to relax the European Union’s 2035 carbon-emissions requirements for new cars and light commercial vehicles, adding momentum to a debate over how the bloc should balance climate targets with pressure on its automotive industry.
In a vote on 4 November, the committee approved the compromise by 48 votes to 30, with two abstentions. It would set a 87.5% reduction target for car-fleet emissions by 2035, while allowing manufacturers to claim up to 7.5 percentage points through the use of low-carbon steel produced in the EU. The credits would bring the overall compliance threshold to 95%.
The proposal also includes incentives for small and highly energy-efficient electric cars made in Europe. For light commercial vehicles, the committee favoured a 35% emissions cut by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2035, both less demanding than the existing targets. Certain vehicles powered exclusively by eligible renewable or low-emission fuels could also be treated as zero-emission models.
The committee vote does not change the rules yet. The full Parliament is due to consider the package in December. If approved, the vote would establish Parliament’s position for negotiations with EU governments in the Council.
The proposal has drawn support from industry groups seeking more room to manage the transition, including Germany’s BDI, while transport and environmental campaigners warn that weaker targets could slow investment in electrification. The disagreement reflects a wider challenge for Europe: protecting manufacturing capacity and jobs without undermining the long-term shift to lower-emission transport.
