April 2025 saw regulatory developments on vehicle emissions
standards in both the European Union ("EU") and the
United Kingdom ("UK"). These changes will be of
significant interest to vehicle manufacturers, as well as users and
purchasers of vehicles more generally.
EU Update
On April 1, 2025, the European Commission proposed an amendment
to Regulation (EU) 2019/631 to introduce additional flexibility in
calculating manufacturers' compliance with CO2
emissions performance standards for new passenger cars and new
light commercial vehicles for calendar years 2025 to 2027.
This proposal was announced as part of the European
Commission's Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive
sector, which was adopted on March 5, 2025, following the Strategic
Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry. It responds to
stakeholders' requests for more flexibility regarding
CO2 targets during the period from 2025 to 2027.