During multiple historic fuel crises and a climate crisis that left tens of thousands dead across Europe this summer, the bloc is reportedly close to striking a deal to allow its automakers to produce more of the vehicles that directly caused each of those problems.
In doing so, it would only ensure that its automakers are unprepared to compete against the country that actually is providing solutions to those problems: China.
So France and Germany are relaxing the commitment from 90% to 80% emissions by 2035 due to influence from automakers, that’s not great at all.
The article also mentions that this is during a time where oil is being affected by the wars going on right now (they highlight the Russian invasion of Ukraine), making this all the more silly. It ends with how easing the commitments that European automakers need to make will make Chinese EV dominance continue to skyrocket, even despite tariffs.
I’m all for more EVs (European or otherwise), but I’d personally rather see European automakers being pushed to meet the commitments towards reducing emissions. More competition is always better, and having one country to depend on for EVs is not great.