European Parliament approves halving car CO2 emissions by 2030

The European Parliament voted Tuesday to halve carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for new cars and vans by 2030 as a preliminary step to ensure that all cars sold in the European Union have zero emissions by 2035.

Specifically, the new approved standard sets a 2030 goal, based on levels recorded in 2021, to reduce emissions by 55% for newly sold cars and 50% for vans.

The clause is part of an agreement reached between European Parliament negotiators and EU member states to reform community regulation of vehicle CO2 emissions based on the European Commission's original proposal.

With 340 votes in favor, 279 against and 21 abstentions, the plenary parliament approved this new law, which, among other things, also adjusts the percentage of sales of low- or zero-emission vehicles that it requires car manufacturers to meet the requirements for commission incentives.