EU eases CO2 targets for carmakers, allowing more flexibility

The European Union has approved a revision of CO2 emission rules for new passenger cars and vans, giving automakers more time to meet climate targets. As the biggest industrial sector in the Czech Republic, the automotive industry accounts for more than 9% of GDP, 26% of manufacturing and 24% of Czech exports. According to diplomatic sources, the new regulation allows compliance to be assessed over a three-year period instead of annually, helping manufacturers avoid fines as early as this year. The proposal, aimed at supporting the auto industry amid rapid technological change and global competition, was endorsed today by EU ministers for European affairs. Czechia was represented at the Brussels meeting by Minister Martin Dvořák (Mayors and Independents. The updated regulation, already approved by the European Parliament in early May, will now be published in the EU’s Official Journal and take effect shortly.