EU Proposes Softening Net Zero CO2 Targets for New Cars

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is mulling giving the car industry, which faces multibillion-euro fines, three years instead of one to meet targets.

New VW ID Buzz vehicles, fully electric-driven microbus cars from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, are seen parked before delivery at the commercial vehicle plant of Volkswagen (VW) in Hanover, northern Germany, on Dec. 20, 2024. Ronny Hartmann / AFP via Getty Images

The European Commission has proposed softening its net zero carbon emission targets for new cars.

Starting on Jan. 1, European Union (EU) targets required a 15 percent reduction in CO2 emissions for both cars and vans from 2021 levels.