MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – European standards undermining the competitiveness of the European automotive industry – E-000657/2025

Question for written answer  E-000657/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE)

EU standards on CO₂ emissions impose strict thresholds on car manufacturers, with steep fines for those exceeding them. With a view to meeting these obligations, some European companies exceeding these thresholds are forced to purchase ‘CO₂ credits’ from manufacturers with lower average emissions, often foreign competitors specialising in electric vehicles, such as the American company Tesla or China’s BYD.

This system entails cash transfers to these companies, thus putting European manufacturers at a disadvantage and weakening their competitiveness vis-à-vis international conglomerates benefiting from a more favourable regulatory framework.

• 1.Does the Commission acknowledge that this mechanism equates to paying indirect subsidies to foreign companies to the detriment of European manufacturers, jeopardising their competitiveness?
• 2.Does it plan to remedy this unequal playing field to prevent the European automotive industry from being penalised as a result of European standards?
• 3.Does it intend to conduct an impact analysis on the economic and social consequences of these obligations for employment and industry in Europe?

Submitted: 12.2.2025