The European Union Affairs Committee does not support new mandatory targets for corporate vehicles
At its today’s sitting, the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu approved the positions according to which Estonia does not support the proposal aimed at establishing new mandatory targets for rapidly increasing the share of environmentally friendly vehicles in corporate fleets.
Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said that according to the European Commission’s proposal, large companies would have to sharply increase the share of zero- and low-emission vehicles in their fleets. “The transition to more environmentally friendly vehicles is not bad in itself, but we already have enough regulations that determine this transition and its time frame,” Tali added. “We do not support the initiative because the scope of the proposed restriction is unclear and it would put our businesses at a disadvantage. We must protect our companies and entrepreneurs from thoughtless, not to say foolish ideas.”
According to the proposal, mandatory targets would be set for Member States for 2030 and 2035. By 2030, 69% of new passenger cars and 40% of new vans in the vehicle fleets of European Union companies should be zero- and low-emission. By 2035, large companies should ensure that at least 95% of their new passenger cars and vans are zero- or low-emission. Estonia does not support setting mandatory targets for Member States regarding new company vehicles.
Another confirmed position states that Estonia does not support the proposal to restrict Member States’ right to financially support passenger cars and vans owned by businesses. It was explained at the Committee sitting that the initiative was currently worded so broadly that it could not be ruled out that it might also affect public procurement, such as the procurement of ambulances and police vehicles. It was underlined that if a country wished to support companies in purchasing vehicles, for example for security purposes, then that option must remain available.
It was noted at the sitting that although the negotiations in Brussels were still ongoing, it seemed that the number of states critical of the initiative was sufficient to form a blocking minority.
The positions of the Government regarding the proposal for a regulation on clean corporate vehicles were presented at the sitting by Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis and Chief Specialist of Mobility Development and Investments Department of the Ministry of Climate Madis Ross. The European Union Affairs Committee approved the positions of the Government, taking into account the opinion of the Economic Affairs Committee.
Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]
