While the European Commission’s newly unveiled plan focuses solely on batteries, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) is calling for greater flexibility and a more technology-neutral approach.
“The automotive industry welcomes the collective efforts of the President of the European Commission,” ACEA stated following the plan’s presentation in Brussels yesterday. “The proposed penalty relief for the 2025 targets for cars and vans is a step in the right direction, and the increased support for autonomous vehicles and the European battery supply chain is also a positive development.”
However, this is unlikely to fully meet the industry’s expectations.
Flexibility Across All Technologies
In its latest press release, ACEA outlined specific demands, particularly urging “a more pragmatic approach to decarbonisation based on the principle of technological neutrality.” The association also stressed that “the unique challenges facing the truck and bus industry have yet to be fully acknowledged.”
Matthias Zink, President of ACEA, raised a key concern: “A crucial question remains unanswered—how can we establish an open regulatory framework that allows for technologies such as PHEVs and range extenders beyond 2035?”
Both manufacturers and suppliers agree on one point: “We must keep technological options open.” They argue that, in the face of global competition and dependence on battery technology controlled by other regions, maintaining flexibility across all technologies—including PHEVs, range extenders, hydrogen, and other climate-neutral solutions—is essential for Europe’s resilience and strategic autonomy.
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