MEPs return to negotiations on EU automotive package as amendment deadline approaches

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.