Brussels, 3 March 2025 – The automotive industry is at a pivotal moment, with European vehicle manufacturers and suppliers recognizing the urgency of transforming their operations to embrace zero-emission mobility. Hundreds of billions of euros have been invested by this sector, yet the market for zero-emission vehicles is not progressing rapidly enough to meet environmental goals.
Today’s discussions marked an effort to analyze the necessary actions for decarbonization, stressing technology neutrality as the foundation for successful transition and competitiveness. The conversation revealed the necessity of boosting infrastructure, incentivizing demand, and adopting measures to reduce manufacturing costs.
Ola Källenius, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and CEO of Mercedes-Benz, emphasized, "This Strategic Dialogue must define the framework ensuring the EU’s competitiveness. The transition to zero-emission mobility and thriving EU automotive industry must progress together—this is non-negotiable." Källenius’ call indicates the industry's reliance on flexible, pragmatic policies as it moves toward ambitious targets.
Matthias Zink, President of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), echoed this sentiment, asserting, "Suppliers, alongside vehicle manufacturers, are driving the decarbonisation of the automotive sector—and we will make it happen. But, greater flexibility is necessary." His comments underline the need for adaptable regulations to accommodate various decarbonization technologies beyond pure electric vehicles.
With less than five years left to achieve significant targets, Christian Levin, Chairperson of the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board and CEO of Scania, called for prompt action. "We have less than five years left to go from 2% to 35% market share with almost none of the necessary enabling conditions in place today," he noted. This statement highlights the urgency for industry stakeholders to implement infrastructure and measures aimed at fostering the growth of zero-emission trucks and buses.
Vehicle manufacturers and suppliers outlined their primary concerns, focusing on urgent reviews of CO2 regulations for both light and heavy-duty vehicles by 2025. They called for more ambitious measures to stimulate demand and tackle the insufficient enabling conditions currently hindering the transition.
While the automotive sector supports the EU’s strategy for cleaner mobility, it asserts the importance of maintaining technology openness. This approach is deemed necessary to preserve Europe’s competitive edge against regions controlling major battery technologies. The industry recognizes the need for balanced trade policy and access to funding to stay globally competitive.
On the regulatory side, the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) have today published the second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report along with the fourth Clean Air Outlook report, assessing the progress toward the EU’s pollution reduction targets for 2030.
The findings reveal some successes: EU policies have effectively reduced air pollution, pesticide application, and plastic litter at sea. Nevertheless, the overall pollution levels remain unacceptably high, particularly concerning harmful noise, nutrient pollution, and waste generation. The need for more stringent actions to meet 2030 goals was emphasized, with Commissioner Jessika Roswall stating, "European citizens want clean air, water and soil... and farmers need a clean environment to thrive."
Despite improvements noted, such as decreased air pollutants resulting in fewer premature deaths, the reports indicate the urgency for more actions to control noise pollution and microplastic proliferation. Addressing agricultural runoff and the persistent use of fertilizers remains key to cutting nutrient losses and reducing environmental impacts.
At the forefront of the EU’s environmental strategy initiated with the Zero Pollution Action Plan back in 2021, the Commission continues to aspirate clarity on pollution levels through regular monitoring and assessments to inform future policies. The intention is to significantly alleviate pressures on ecosystems and human health.
The Zero Pollution Monitoring Dashboard also aims to provide insights by comparing regional statuses across Europe. Today’s dashboard highlights regions with the least pollution, including areas across Austria, Finland, France, Germany, and Sweden, showcasing effective models for others to emulate.
8. Reducing pollution is integral to the EU’s broader sustainability ambitions, and the seminal reports released confirm the need for immediate and intensified actions across various sectors. European leaders are reminded of the pressing demands from their citizens for enhanced living conditions through cleaner air and reduced pollution levels.
Through combined efforts from both the automotive sector and environmental management agencies, the road to achieving zero-emission mobility and environmental sustainability appears to be charted; the collective call for action serves as the foundation to navigate future challenges.