The Czech government has urged the European Commission to extend the compliance period for automakers under the EU’s emission targets from three years to five years, arguing that the current regulations are too harsh and could disadvantage car manufacturers, according to Euractiv.
The call comes as part of broader efforts by Prague to push for revisions to the EU’s Green Deal policies, which it claims are overly restrictive and economically damaging.
Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka stated that the government will advocate for the extended compliance period, emphasising that automakers should not be penalised for shifts in consumer behaviour, such as the recent decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales.
It is not the car manufacturers’ fault that consumer behavior is changing and that the number of electric vehicles sold dropped significantly last year. I believe the conditions need to be adjusted so that carmakers can invest without having to pay penalties that would further disadvantage them against competitors.
The Commission’s current proposal, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen, would assess compliance over a three-year period instead of annually. However, the Czech government argues that this adjustment is insufficient and that a five-year period would provide carmakers with more flexibility and stability.
With Czechia heading into parliamentary elections this autumn, EU regulations, including Green Deal policies, are expected to be a central issue in the campaign. The Czech government’s demands also highlight the challenges the EU faces in balancing its ambitious climate goals with the economic realities of member states.
