Parliamentary compromise would make EU fleet EV quotas voluntary

By Amara Osei

Automobilwoche reports that a European Parliament compromise would replace binding 2030 electric-vehicle quotas for large corporate fleets with voluntary targets and no penalties for member states.

The Conservatives (EVP), Social Democrats (S&D) and Liberals (Renew), collectively called the Centre Platform, agreed the position, Automobilwoche reported.

The agreement is not final law. The Environment Committee is due to vote in early November, and the plenary is likely to follow in December, according to Spiegel.

Although the three groups have settled their position, the package still requires separate committee and plenary approvals before any change to existing European law.

EVP member of Parliament Jens Gieseke, chair of the Transport Committee, told Automobilwoche: “For corporate fleets, we have found a good compromise with the other groups that protects fleet operators from major burdens.”

What changes for large corporate fleets?

The European Commission’s Auto Package, presented at the end of last year, proposed country-specific requirements for member states to electrify company cars starting in 2030.

Its stated purpose was to “support the introduction of zero-emission and low-emission vehicles by large companies.”

Belgium’s successful company-car taxation scheme inspired the draft section. Automobilwoche said it led to sharp EV-sales growth but gave no sales figures.

Under the compromise, the draft’s “binding targets” would become “aspirational commitments.” Automobilwoche wrote: “This means the targets remain voluntary, and member states will not face penalties for failing to meet them.”

The compromise would remove direct penalties for missed national targets. It does not quantify effects on fleet costs, registrations or compliance, and it sets no replacement enforcement timetable.

That gap leaves fleet operators facing a voluntary framework whose practical effect depends on national decisions that the agreement does not spell out.

The final plenary vote could also alter the wording. The parliamentary agreement identifies a likely amendment without completing the legislative process.

How would the 2035 CO2 limit change?

For fleet CO2 limits, the Centre Platform proposes requiring manufacturers to cut new-car emissions 95% from 2021 levels by 2035, instead of the original 100%.

Manufacturers could claim another 7.5 percentage points if they use European-made, climate-friendly steel in their vehicles as compensation.

That would lower the required emissions reduction to 87.5% by 2035.

According to the three groups, the lower target would still leave room for additional registrations of new combustion-engine and hybrid vehicles after 2035.

The claim is a policy projection, not a production forecast. The published account provides no model of powertrain mix, steel supply, compliance costs or vehicle volumes for 2035.

It also does not explain how European-made, climate-friendly steel would be verified or how manufacturers would document the additional reduction.

The steel provision changes the regulatory target, rather than merely rewarding manufacturing practice through a separate reporting exercise.

What happens before the final vote?

The Industry and Transport Committees have already voted to soften CO2 regulations, and their decisions will guide the wider legislative process.

Automobilwoche reported that majorities in both committees support the softening and that the Centre Platform had agreed internally beforehand.

The Environment Committee is scheduled to vote in early November, while the full European Parliament is expected in December, according to Spiegel.

These are procedural steps, not final adoption. Amendments and final votes may still determine whether the voluntary fleet targets and adjusted 2035 limit survive unchanged.

Watch the Environment Committee vote first, then the December plenary. Until those decisions, lighter fleet burdens remain a negotiated position rather than settled law.