All around Europe, there is growing criticism and demand for a reassessment of its essential elements, with Italy at the forefront. Italy is pushing for an early assessment of the “Regulation on CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars and light vehicles,” suggesting it be expedited to the first months of 2025 with support from a number of other European countries.
Ahead of the Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels, Italian Minister Urso recently spoke with Robert Habeck, the German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economics and Climate Protection, by video conference. Habeck agreed with Urso’s outline of Italy’s objectives for the automobile industry.
Interestingly, Habeck, a well-known Green in the German government, had previously stated that he would be willing to review emission limits earlier because of possible structural changes in the market.
The two ministers concurred, citing a Mario Draghi competitiveness report, that cooperative investments were essential to promoting European industry. Urso stated that Habeck was amenable to the idea of sharing resources and having conversations on biofuels, a subject that is especially significant to Italy.