EU adopts CO2 targets reprieve for car industry

Brussels, Belgium: EU countries gave final approval on Tuesday to a reprieve for European carmakers over new emission targets, as they seek to balance...

Brussels, Belgium: EU countries gave final approval on Tuesday to a reprieve for European carmakers over new emission targets, as they seek to balance climate goals with support for a struggling key industry.

Starting this year, the European Union is cutting the average carbon emissions that new vehicles sold in the 27-country bloc are permitted to produce, with steep fines if auto manufacturers fail to comply.

Carmakers had expressed concern that they would not be able to meet the target because of lacklustre sales of electric vehicles.

Member states on Tuesday adopted a proposal put forward by the European Commission in March that allows companies to comply with the targets by averaging their emissions over three years from 2025 to 2027, rather than each individual year.

This means they will not be fined if they fail to meet the 2025 target by December 31 this year.