EU to weaken EV rules again, aiding China — SkimNews
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- EU is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to further loosen its EV emissions targets, following two prior rollbacks since 2023.
- France and Germany struck a bilateral agreement to reduce required emissions cuts from 90% to 80% by 2035 and weaken interim targets, set to be presented to the EU on October 15.
- European automakers have lobbied successfully for repeated regulatory rollbacks, citing 'market conditions' despite rising EV sales and Chinese competition.
- China is rapidly gaining market share in Europe with cheaper, higher-quality EVs, as European manufacturers delay or cancel electric models.
- Clean Energy Wire reported that six EU countries oppose the latest weakening of rules, but France’s shift in position makes approval likely.
- The EU previously used the threat of Chinese EV dominance to push the UK to adopt tariffs, even as its own policies hinder domestic EV development.
Why it matters: European automakers gain short-term regulatory relief but lose long-term competitiveness, while China captures market share and export revenue. The 80% emissions target—down from 90%—with weak enforcement mechanisms, delays decarbonization and contradicts the bloc’s stated climate urgency, especially as heat waves killed 35,000 this summer.
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