16th December 2024,
Brussels

First of all, we would like to congratulate you and the entire Collège of Commissioners for the Parliamentary approval of the 27^th November. We look forward to working together with you and supporting you during the upcoming mandate.

As Commissioner Tzitzikostas rightfully mentioned during your hearing of the 4th November in the European Parliament, the EU action to accelerate fleet electrification represents a golden opportunity to not only tackle transport emissions, the EU’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, but also widen access to cheaper second-hand electric vehicles. We therefore very much welcome the announcement in the Commissioner for Transport’s mission letter to “put forward a legislative proposal for clean corporate fleets,” an initiative that Commissioner for Climate views as “a great opportunity to move the needle in terms of climate impact,” as expressed during the hearing of the 7th November. We strongly encourage the Commission to propose a regulation as soon as possible in 2025, ideally as part of the Clean Industrial Deal’s Automotive Action Plan.

6 out of 10 cars sold in the EU are company cars, with those vehicles driving twice as much as private cars. The purchasing decisions of corporate fleets have far wider implications than just for that enterprise. Company cars tend to spend 3 to 5 years in a fleet before going into the used car market. With 8 out of 10 Europeans buying their cars in the used car market, this is a crucial channel for EU citizens.

At the same time heavy-duty vehicles remain one of the challenging segments with the largest potential to decarbonize, with less than 1% of the EU’s truck fleet currently being zero-emission. Electric trucks are gaining momentum rapidly, with costs declining and infrastructure being rolled out. However, without a supporting regulatory framework for big corporate fleets, adoption risks lagging the levels required to achieve the EU’s climate goals.

Accelerating the transition towards electric vehicles beyond existing policies is a necessity to achieve transport’s net-zero and the 2040 climate target of -90%. As such, the faster fleets electrify their company cars, the faster more households and businesses will be able to access more affordable electric vehicles powered by clean European electricity, the faster we can reduce transport emissions. This is a win-win for climate and consumers.

In line with the Mission Letters, Clean Industrial Deal, and the EU industrial action plan for the automotive sector that they mention, a regulation setting binding targets for large fleets is crucial to accompany supply-side policies with strong demand-side measures and thus ensure a successful decarbonation of road transport. We call on the Clean Industrial Deal to include the legislative initiative on corporate fleets.

Corporate fleets are in a great position to lead the way on electrification, with many already committed to fully transitioning their fleets by the end of the decade through Climate Group’s EV100 campaign. On a total cost of ownership basis, electric vehicles have the advantage over polluting vehicles, meaning electrification makes strong business sense too. A clear regulatory framework would simply ensure that all fleets are playing their part while at the same time create investment certainty and clarity for company fleets.

That’s why the Platform for Electromobility, the alliance of land transport industries, NGOs, civil society and cities, and EV100/+, the leading global initiative bringing together fleets committed to electrification, are uniting and calling on you to make this a key priority of your upcoming mandate and come forward in your 2025 Work Programme with a Greening corporate fleet regulation setting binding electrification targets for cars, vans and heavy-duty vehicles.

We would very much appreciate a meeting where we can discuss this initiative. We count on your leadership to bring forward a regulation setting binding zero-emission targets for large fleets.

With kind regards,

The members of the Platform for Electromobility

12th June 2024,
Brussels

The Platform for Electromobility is very concerned by recent statements calling on the incoming European Commission to reverse the already agreed on CO2 Standards for cars and vans. Today, the 2035 zero emission cars goal is Europe’s most straight-forward EV industrial strategy bringing vital investment to European companies.

We strongly warn against undermining key EU legislation already agreed by MEPs and EU countries in the last legislative period.

Attracting investment to create the net-zero industrial ecosystem for zero-emission mobility is not possible without a consistent, clear regulatory framework.

To “hit reverse” now would also significantly penalise all industrial actors, including many of our members, who have already invested in this transition (automotive, batteries, infrastructure, etc.).

The cars and vans CO2 legislation, as agreed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in 2023, is also in the interest of European consumers: it will increase the offer and promote the market uptake of zero-emission vehicles. With an increased market, zero-emissions vehicles will become more affordable with a continuously reduced total cost of ownership and there will be more choice for consumers. This will also help tackle air quality and noise issues, further benefitting European citizens.

The Platform for Electromobility, a 47-member strong alliance, urges the incoming European Commission President to safeguard the agreement settled between the Parliament and the Council ensuring all new cars and vans sold by 2035 will be zero-emission. Reneging on this deal not only puts at risk the EU’s goal to fully decarbonise road transport by 2050 but undermines Europe’s re-industrialisation efforts and global competitiveness.

to Prof. Mario Draghi and EU Heads of States

Industrial competitiveness will be high on the agenda of the Special European Council of 17^th and 18^th April in Brussels. It has lately tended to overshadow sustainability. We, members of the Platform for Electromobility, a unique coalition of industries, NGOs, and civil society organizations committed to advancing electric mobility across all modes of transportation in Europe, firmly believe there can be no industrial competitiveness without sustainability. The Green Deal has set the course. It is imperative to implement it swiftly and continue in that direction.

The EU does need an industrial strategy to ensure its businesses can complete the transition as planned. In our latest publication, “A 360° e-mobility industry strategy“, you will find five recommendations we believe should be a priority of the next strategic agenda:

1. Ensuring regulatory stability for industries and investors. This means first and foremost ensuring that the European Green Deal legislations as voted in the 2019-2024 mandate remain steady over time.

2. Enhancing value chain competitiveness and resilience. European industrial policy initiatives should see their focus widened from specific components to a more comprehensive approach, spanning from raw materials to end products and from individual to all modes of sustainable transportation.

3. Financing the short-term transition through accessible opportunities. Existing EU funds can already serve as valuable assets if they are distributed efficiently and intelligently, notably by streamlining access to finance, particularly for net-zero industries, through instruments such as the Innovation Fund and InvestEU.

4. Establishing a Net Zero Investment Plan for long-term financing. The STEP platform, although welcomed, unfortunately far from the pan-European response to global competition on cleantech that the EU needs.

5. Strengthening international cooperation. Strengthening ties with diverse regions would diversify sources, reduce geopolitical risks and uncertainties, ensure a secure supply chain, enhance global industrial collaborations, and uphold a fair competitive environment for all clean transport industries.

We urge the European Council and the upcoming report of the future of European Competitiveness to recognise that industrial competitiveness and sustainability are intrinsically linked and cannot go one without the other. Hoping that our recommendations will help shape the policy priorities of the upcoming EU legislative cycle, we stand ready to contribute to the discussions further.

Céline Domecq
Chair of the Platform for Electromobility, 2024

To European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal,
To the European Commissioner for Climate Action,
To the European Commissioner for Transport,

Maroš Šefčovič
Adina-Ioana Vălean
Wopke Hoekstra

Dear,

First of all, we would like to congratulate Mr Šefčovič and Mr Hoekstra with their appointment respectively as Executive Vice-President for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and Commissioner for Climate Action. We look forward to working together with you and supporting you during the upcoming mandate.

EU action to accelerate fleet electrification represents a golden opportunity to not only tackle transport emissions, EU’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, but also widen the access to cheaper second-hand electric vehicles. We therefore very much welcome Vice-President Šefčovič’s pledge during last week’s hearing that “By the end of the year, the Commission will launch a public consultation in preparation for future action to accelerate the electrification of corporate fleets by 2030.”

6 out of 10 cars sold in the EU are company cars, with those vehicles driving twice as much as private cars. The purchasing decisions of corporate fleets have far wider implications than just for that enterprise. Company cars tend to spend 3 to 5 years in a fleet before going into the used car market. With 8 out of 10 Europeans buying their cars in the used car market, this is a crucial channel for EU citizens.

Accelerating the transition towards electric vehicles beyond existing policies is a necessity to achieve transport’s net-zero and the 2040 climate target of -90%. As such, the faster fleets electrify their company cars, the faster more households will be able to access more affordable electric vehicles powered by clean European electricity, the faster we can reduce transport emissions. This is a win-win for climate and consumers.

Corporate fleets are in a great position to lead the way on electrification, with many already committed to fully transitioning their fleets by the end of the decade through Climate Group’s EV100 campaign. On a total cost of ownership basis, electric vehicles have the advantage over polluting vehicles meaning electrification makes strong business sense too. A regulatory framework would simply ensure that all fleets are playing their part.

That’s why the Platform for electromobility – the alliance of uniting automotive industries, NGOs, civil society and cities, the Europe’s leading consumer association and the leading global initiative bringing together fleets committed to electrification – are uniting and calling on you to:

• Deliver on your promise to launch a public consultation by the end of this year at the very latest.
• Limit the scope of the public consultation to legislative options to accelerate fleets electrification of at least 95% by 2030.
• Include light commercial vehicles in the scope of this public consultation.
• As part of this consultation come forward with a timeline for a swift adoption of this legislation.

We hereby reiterate that we fully support the European Commission in setting binding zero emission purchase targets for corporate fleet (passenger cars) of minimum 65% in 2027 and 95% in 2030 and binding electrification targets for light commercial vehicles.

We would very much appreciate a meeting where we can discuss this initiative. We count on your leadership to bring forward a public consultation.

With kind regards,

To European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans
To the European Commissioner for Transport, Adina-Ioana Vălean

To Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Spain to the European Union, D. Marcos Alonso Alonso

To the Presidents of the TRAN and ENVI Committees of the European Parliament, Karima Delli and Pascal Canfin
To the Presidents of the European Parliament Political Groups,

Dear,

We, the undersigned representatives from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the Platform for electromobility and Hydrogen Europe, representing the majority of industry stakeholders and civil society in vehicle manufacturing, direct electrification and hydrogen value chain, are writing to highlight the crucial role of establishing a full set of enabling conditions to support the transition of the European road transport industry to climate neutrality by 2050. The Review of the Weights & Dimensions (W&D) Directive is one crucial element of the regulatory framework to facilitate the market uptake of zero-emission, battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks and buses. We are concerned that any further delays and persistent uncertainty surrounding a timely adoption and implementation of a revised Weights and Dimensions Directive would be detrimental to our joint climate neutrality ambition and the EU target of 90% transport emission reduction by 2050.

Zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) will have to become the backbone of road transport if the sector is to reach its decarbonisation targets. Zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) come with additional requirements with respect to available space in the vehicles, total vehicle weight and axle weights. These ddifferences to vehicles powered by fossil fuels should be addressed in the review with an aim to remove any barriers that can hinder their market uptake and firmly place them on a level playing field with vehicles powered by fossil fuels.

The Review should specifically:

• Simplify the Directive as much as possible and ensure a fully harmonized implementation in Member States
• Provide additional weight allowances for zero-emission vehicles and adjust the provisions for axle weights and vehicle length to accommodate the requirements of zero-emission powertrains.
• Ensure intermodal compatibility in the revision of the Weights & Dimensions Directive.

The Weights & Dimensions Directive must be seen as a key enabler of the transition to climate neutrality and should as such also be acknowledged by the co-legislators.

ACEA, the Platform for electromobility, and Hydrogen Europe are united in calling on the European institutions, namely the European Commission, the incoming Spanish Council Presidency, the European Parliament and EU Member States to prioritize making the necessary adjustments in the Weights & Dimensions framework. It is imperative that progress is made swiftly to remove barriers in the Weights & Dimensions framework that may hinder the market adoption of zero-emission trucks and buses.

We trust that you share our sense of urgency and will take the necessary steps to ensure that Europe establishes a coherent and supportive regulatory framework to enable the swift decarbonisation of road transport and seizes the opportunities provided by sustainable mobility.

Sincerely,

Adressed to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Dear Chancellor Olaf Scholz,

The recent yet indefinite postponement of the vote on the CO2 Standards for cars and vans within the Council of the European Union has brought concerns to both business and civil society organisations alike.

With this open letter, the Platform for electromobility, uniting both spheres in a 47-member strong alliance to ensure the conditions for the full electrification of new light-duty vehicles by 2035, renews its support to the overall greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 55% by 2030 and the climate neutrality objective by 2050. Reducing – and ultimately eliminating – emissions from cars, vans and trucks will be key to achieving these objectives.

As validated by the European Parliament in February, the cars and vans CO2 legislation will increase the offer and promote the market uptake of zero-emission vehicles. With an increased market, zero-emissions vehicles will also become more affordable with a continuously reduced total cost of ownership and more choice for consumers and will also help tackle air quality and noise issues, bringing an overall benefit to society.

 The EU CO2 standards regulation delivers genuine benefits for transport, ensuring planning and investment certainty, setting clear signals to not only car makers and consumers but also to EV infrastructure providers on the required pace for the transition to zero-emission mobility. However, recent political backpedalling has severely blurred those signals to European industries, investors and infrastructure providers as well as the legal certainty formerly established by the EU’s institutional procedures.

The Platform for electromobility thus urges the Swedish Government, as President of the Council, to first provide clarity and certainty on the agenda and secondly to safeguard the agreement as was already agreed in good faith between the EP and Council. Reneging on this deal not only puts at risk the EU Green Deal’s goal to fully decarbonise road transport by 2050, but undermines the very credibility of the EU’s established democratic norms.

Sincerely yours,