Members of the European Parliament are currently debating amendments to the EU’s car CO₂ emissions framework, with discussions focusing in particular on a proposed flexibility allowing manufacturers to meet their targets over the 2025–2027 period, rather than on a strict annual basis.

The proposal does not alter the overall emissions reduction targets, but instead changes how compliance is calculated, giving carmakers more room to balance their performance across multiple years. Supporters argue this approach reflects the practical challenges of industrial transition, while critics warn it could delay immediate emissions cuts.

Environmental organisation Greenpeace said it recognises the need for a degree of flexibility, but stressed that this must not come at the expense of climate ambition.

“We recognise that some degree of flexibility can be important during a major industrial transition. At the same time, flexibility must come with clear guarantees that emissions reductions will continue and that manufacturers still have strong incentives to accelerate the shift toward cleaner vehicles,” said Lazar Šljukić from Greenpeace.

He added that certain amendments currently under discussion could strike a more appropriate balance between flexibility and environmental integrity.

“For that reason, we believe several amendments proposed by members of the Left group are constructive, because they aim to preserve the environmental integrity of the regulation while still acknowledging the challenges facing the sector,” he said.

The debate over flexibility has also been linked to broader concerns about jobs and industrial competitiveness, with some policymakers arguing that easing short-term compliance could help protect European manufacturers during the transition.

Greenpeace, however, pointed to longer-term structural shifts in the industry.

“Our expertise is primarily in climate and environmental policy, so we prefer not to speak in detail on labour-market questions. What we can say is that from what we have seen in current studies and market projections, the electric vehicle and battery sectors are expected to create significant new employment opportunities,” Šljukić said.

“It will be essential for the EU and Member States to support workers and manufacturers during this transition so they can remain competitive in the global clean mobility market,” he added.

Industry stakeholders have also raised concerns about the potential unintended consequences of the proposed flexibility. According to materials from ChargeUp Europe, allowing manufacturers to average emissions over a three-year period could create a “loophole” whereby carmakers delay the rollout of electric vehicles until the final year of the compliance window. This, they argue, could slow down EV supply in the short term and risk underutilising Europe’s rapidly expanding charging infrastructure.

To address this, the group has proposed additional safeguards, including a “no backsliding” clause that would prevent emissions from increasing compared to current levels, even within a more flexible compliance framework.

As negotiations continue, attention is turning to which amendments could ultimately shape the final outcome of the legislation.

“We support amendments that maintain strong environmental standards while providing clarity for industry. In particular, we see the amendments proposed by members of the Left group as a constructive step in that direction, as they aim to preserve the climate ambition of the regulation while addressing some of the concerns raised during the debate,” Šljukić said.

The discussion comes as EU lawmakers work to finalise their position on the proposed changes, with amendments expected to play a key role in determining how the balance between flexibility and climate ambition is ultimately defined.

Members of the European Parliament are set to resume negotiations this weekend on the European Commission’s proposed Automotive Package, as political groups prepare amendments ahead of Saturday’s submission deadline.

The proposal aims to steer Europe’s automotive sector toward climate neutrality while maintaining industrial competitiveness, a balance that has already triggered debate among lawmakers, industry representatives and civil society groups.

Under the Commission’s plan, car manufacturers would be required to achieve a 90% reduction in tailpipe emissions by 2035. The remaining emissions could be offset through the use of low-carbon steel produced in the European Union, or through alternative fuels such as e-fuels and biofuels.

Alongside the emissions targets, the package includes measures designed to support the EU’s domestic battery industry and reduce administrative burdens for manufacturers. The Commission argues that the proposal provides a strong market signal for zero-emission vehicles while giving companies enough flexibility to adapt to technological and economic realities.

However, divisions among political groups have quickly emerged as discussions move forward.

Some lawmakers have stressed the need to maintain strict climate ambition, warning that additional flexibility could undermine the EU’s long-term decarbonisation goals. Others argue that the transition must account for the challenges facing Europe’s automotive sector, which remains a key pillar of the EU economy and supports millions of jobs across the bloc.

Friday’s schedule includes stakeholder meetings and press briefings, offering an opportunity for industry representatives, environmental organisations and policymakers to outline their positions ahead of formal parliamentary sessions beginning on Saturday.

Those sessions will play a crucial role in shaping the amendments that political groups intend to submit before the deadline.

Observers expect negotiations to intensify as lawmakers attempt to reconcile climate objectives with concerns about investment, supply chains and employment in the automotive sector.

With the amendment deadline approaching, the coming discussions could determine how far Parliament is willing to adjust the Commission’s proposal before it moves into the next stage of the legislative process.

Europe’s automotive industry is calling for greater flexibility in upcoming EU climate rules as lawmakers debate the European Commission’s proposed Automotive Package.

The proposal, which sets out new CO₂ emission standards for vehicles, is intended to guide the sector’s transition toward cleaner mobility while ensuring the EU remains competitive in an increasingly globalised automotive market.

At the centre of the debate is how quickly manufacturers should be required to reduce emissions and how much flexibility should be built into the transition period.

Some policymakers and industry representatives argue that a rigid regulatory framework could place significant pressure on carmakers at a time when the sector is already undergoing profound technological change. The shift toward electric mobility, combined with the need to develop new supply chains and production capacities, represents a major investment challenge for manufacturers.

Several lawmakers have therefore suggested introducing mechanisms that would allow producers limited flexibility in the early years of implementation, provided that overall emissions targets are met within the agreed timeframe.

Supporters of this approach say it would maintain pressure on manufacturers to meet climate targets while giving companies enough room to adapt to market and technological realities.

Environmental organisations, however, have warned that too much flexibility risks weakening the EU’s climate ambitions. They argue that strong and predictable regulations are necessary to accelerate the transition away from internal combustion engines and to ensure that Europe remains a global leader in clean mobility.

The debate reflects a broader tension within EU policymaking: how to reconcile ambitious climate targets with the economic importance of Europe’s automotive sector.

As negotiations in the European Parliament continue this weekend, lawmakers are expected to put forward amendments addressing both the pace of the transition and the level of flexibility granted to manufacturers.

The outcome of those discussions could shape the final form of the EU’s automotive climate rules and influence the direction of the industry for decades to come.