The French government will ask Brussels to postpone sanctions against European car manufacturers who have not met their CO2 emissions targets in 2025, Economy Minister Antoine Armand announced in an interview with Echoes published on Sunday.
“We must maintain the decarbonization path and the 2035 deadline for the end of the heat engine. But let’s not shoot ourselves in the foot! », declared the minister in the columns of the newspaper. “If we were to impose gigantic sanctions on manufacturers because they did not move fast enough, the first consequence will be to weaken investment and above all to strengthen our Asian competitors,” he continued.
“Manufacturers firmly committed to the electrification of vehicles should not have to pay fines in 2025: I will defend this position with Marc Ferracci (the Minister delegated for Industry, ed.) before the Commission and our counterparts,” he assured. Mr Armand will attend Eurogroup and Ecofin meetings in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday.
No sanctions
Marc Ferracci defended the same idea in an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt on Sunday. On Monday and Tuesday he will travel to Berlin as part of the tenth edition of the Franco-German Economy Day. Car manufacturers must meet an annual average of emissions per car sold in Europe. This so-called CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standard requires manufacturers to gradually sell less polluting vehicles.
It has been generally respected so far, but will have to reach a new level from January 2025. Antoine Armand had already indicated that the French government “does not foresee” car manufacturers being sanctioned at European level for failure to comply with emissions standards CO2, but this discrepancy is a novelty brought by the minister at European level with Marc Ferracci.
“Avoid penalizing our producers”
“I do not foresee that sanctions will be imposed while immense efforts have been made” by the sector for electrification, Armand told professionals gathered at the Automobile Summit, on the sidelines of the Paris Motor Show in mid-October.
Antoine Armand indicated on this occasion that the government is exploring “all flexibilities (..) in coalition with our European partners (…) to avoid penalizing our producers in their investments, precisely at the most crucial moment of their industrial transition . »
Most European manufacturers have asked Brussels for urgent help to deal with the tightening of CO2 emissions rules in 2025 that they believe they will be unable to meet, particularly due to the erosion of electric car sales.
Interview: The Future of European Automotive Emissions Standards
Time.news Editor: Good day everyone, and welcome to our special interview segment. Today, we’re diving into a pressing issue at the intersection of environmental policy and the automotive industry. Joining us is Dr. Elise Moreau, a leading expert in environmental economics and transport policy. Welcome, Dr. Moreau!
Dr. Moreau: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: We recently saw an announcement from French Economy Minister Antoine Armand regarding the European sanctions on car manufacturers that haven’t met their CO2 emissions targets. He suggested that these sanctions should be postponed. How significant is this development for the automotive industry and climate policy overall?
Dr. Moreau: This move is quite significant. The pressure to transition to electric vehicles is mounting as Europe aims for a decarbonized economy by 2035. Delaying sanctions could provide manufacturers with the flexibility they need to scale up their investments in electric vehicle technology without the immediate threat of heavy fines, which might otherwise stifle innovation in the short term.
Editor: Minister Armand mentioned that imposing “gigantic sanctions” could weaken investment and bolster competition from Asian manufacturers. Do you think he is right about this potential outcome?
Dr. Moreau: Absolutely. The auto industry is highly competitive, and if European manufacturers are burdened with sanctions, they might struggle to compete with competitors who are already leading in electric vehicle production. It could make them reconsider their investments in sustainability. However, it also raises a question about accountability—how do we ensure manufacturers are still committed to emissions reductions without the pressure of sanctions?
Editor: That’s a delicate balance to strike. In the same breath, there’s an ongoing commitment to the decarbonization path and the 2035 deadline for ending internal combustion engines. How can the EU ensure that this commitment is maintained while providing leeway to companies?
Dr. Moreau: The EU must focus on developing a comprehensive support framework that encourages manufacturers to innovate rather than punishing them for missteps. This could include incentives for research and development in electric technologies or improved infrastructure for charging stations. An approach that combines support with clear long-term goals could motivate manufacturers to accelerate their transition without feeling cornered.
Editor: During this transitional phase, how crucial is collaboration among European countries, especially given that France’s stance is not isolated? We’ve also seen German officials echoing similar sentiments.
Dr. Moreau: Collaboration is absolutely vital. Europe functions as a single market, and unified regulations are key for a level playing field. Member states need to coordinate their approaches to emissions reduction, and meetings like those organized during the Franco-German Economy Day are essential for fostering this collaboration. The idea is to come to a consensus that balances environmental needs with economic realities.
Editor: Dr. Moreau, based on your expertise, what would you advise policymakers to prioritize in the coming months to ensure that Europe’s automotive sector remains robust while also fulfilling its environmental commitments?
Dr. Moreau: First and foremost, investment in infrastructure is critical. We need more widespread and accessible charging stations to support the uptake of electric vehicles. Secondly, there should be a collaborative financing strategy that backs manufacturers who show a commitment to reducing emissions without facing immediate financial penalties. Lastly, continuous dialogue between governments and the automotive industry is essential to create an adaptive policy framework that responds to the evolving market and technological advancements.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Moreau, for sharing your insights on this pressing topic. It’s clear that as we push toward a sustainable future, multifaceted approaches that include collaboration, innovation, and supportive policies will be crucial.
Dr. Moreau: Thank you! It was great to discuss these important issues with you.
Editor: To our viewers, stay tuned as we continue to follow the developments in this area, bringing you the latest updates and insights. Thank you for watching!