The European Commission’s proposal for new car CO2 limits left many disappointed. But a spate of new governments in Europe – and shifting positions in Berlin – means those who want higher targets and an electric vehicle mandate have everything to play for.
When the European Commission put forward its proposal for new car CO2 limits for after 2020 in November, it was not what climate advocates – and many governments – wanted to see.
Mayors of nine EU capitals, including Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Madrid, Brussels and Sofia, had written to the Commission the previous month calling for a high target and a mandate for vehicle makers to produce a minimum number of electric vehicles – as exists in California and China. They got neither, according to Euractiv.com.
The Commission proposed a 30% cut to CO2 emissions from cars by 2030, far lower than the 50% many were calling for. They also declined to set an electric vehicle mandate, saying they preferred a technology neutral approach.
The reality was that consultations with national governments clearly showed that a higher target or a mandate would be non-starters in the Council of 28 EU member states, who would inevitably lower the target and remove the mandate.
The opposition was particularly staunch from the German government, where the country’s powerful auto industry was furiously lobbying both Brussels and Berlin.
But things have changed since November. There are new governments in Italy, Spain and soon Slovenia. In Italy, the populist Five Star Movement, the majority partner in the new coalition government, has been supportive of electric vehicle mandates. As has the new Socialist-led government in Spain.
But perhaps the biggest change of all has come from Berlin, where the new cabinet took office in March. This week an internal position paper from the German environment ministry was leaked to the media showing that the ministry is calling for a 50% cut by 2030, and a 25% cut by 2025.
The paper is part of an internal government consultation and the idea could still be killed by Germany’s economic or transport ministries. But given the Dieselgate headaches both of those ministries are still reeling from, they may be wary to take on the environment ministry.
More importantly, the leak has signalled to those calling for higher target that they may suddenly have a new ally in Berlin.
One of those calling for a higher target is the Dutch government, and they are sensing the moment is ripe for getting the co-legislators to strengthen the Commission’s proposal.
On Wednesday, The Netherlands hosted an event at the Dutch permanent representation to the EU presenting a new report from consultancy TNO showing a 50% target would be feasible and would result in a significant uptick in electric vehicle production.
Ronald van Roeden, the Netherlands Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, opened the event by noting the recent news from Germany and saying that the Netherlands is pushing for a more ambitious Council position.
The event was co-hosted with France and Luxembourg, which have also signalled backing for greater ambition on CO2 reduction in transport and electric mobility.