France and Germany have agreed a joint approach that seeks to ease proposed EU vehicle emissions requirements.
The two countries said they want to transform the automotive sector while keeping climate ambition intact and ensuring that future vehicles are still built in Europe.
The approach calls for significant CO₂ reductions, alongside stronger European capabilities in developing and producing next-generation electric vehicles (EVs).
The package pairs an “ambitious” European decarbonisation pathway with regulatory flexibility that reflects differing market conditions and technological circumstances.
It also includes measures to support investment, research and development, European manufacturing and resilient supply chains.
France and Germany presented “European preference” as a way of tying the shift to clean mobility to investment, innovation and production in their own countries and elsewhere in Europe.
They said the proposal would support EU climate goals while strengthening the industry's technological sovereignty, industrial base and international competitiveness.
In a joint statement, the French and German governments stated: “Our course remains unchanged: to achieve substantial reductions in CO₂ emissions while strengthening Europe’s capacity to develop and manufacture the next generation of electric vehicles.
“This is what European preference means in practice: ensuring that the transition to clean mobility goes hand in hand with investment, innovation and production in France, Germany and across Europe."
According to the European Commission, carmakers will be required, from 2035, to meet a 90% reduction target for tailpipe emissions.
The remaining 10% could be offset through low-carbon steel produced within the EU, or through e-fuels and biofuels.
Under this approach, plug-in hybrids, range extenders, mild hybrids and internal combustion engine vehicles could keep a role after 2035, alongside fully electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Ahead of 2035, manufacturers could receive “super credits” for small, affordable EVs made in the EU, which the Commission said would encourage more small EV models.
