Transport & Environment (T&E) has reacted critically to the EU’s newly announced Automotive Plan. While acknowledging positive steps regarding vehicle fleets, the environmental group expressed strong reservations about the plan’s weakening of CO₂ emission reduction targets, coupled with what they consider vague support for battery production.
T&E’s concerns were voiced in response to the EU’s concessions to the automotive industry. The group views the plan as a potential setback in the fight against climate change, particularly given the need for aggressive measures to curb emissions from the transportation sector.
This news follows earlier statements from T&E regarding the EU’s approach to automotive policy. On March 3, 2025, T&E released a statement reacting to Ursula von der Leyen’s remarks on the Automotive Dialogue, highlighting the potential risks of offering weaker climate targets in exchange for limited commitments.
In a related opinion piece published on February 28, 2025, T&E President Arie Bleijenberg discussed the relative impact of clean car technologies versus traffic reduction measures in cutting pollution. Bleijenberg’s analysis underscored the complexity of reducing automotive pollution, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers both technological advancements and broader strategies.
The group emphasizes that the EU’s Automotive Plan must represent the final instance of concessions to industry and must be coupled with concrete, ambitious efforts needed in the transition to cleaner transportation options.
