Editorial: Le Monde

• The automotive sector has convinced the French government to press the European Commission to soften the rules for reducing vehicle CO2 emissions.
• The French Minister of Economy has asked Brussels not to apply the penalties planned in case of non-compliance with the new standards that will come into force in 2025.
• Several brands, such as Volkswagen or Renault, could be forced to forgo selling internal combustion vehicles in order to fulfill these standards, impacting their profitability and employment.
• France seeks to give the industry a reprieve, a stance that could be decisive since Germany, Italy, and other Eastern European countries have expressed their concerns about these sanctions.
• Despite facing challenges, some companies like Stellantis and BMW will have no problems complying with CAFE standards, showing that the regulation is suitable if the necessary efforts are made.
• Despite the French government's assurances that it does not want to alter the decarbonization trajectory and phase out internal combustion engines by 2035, its request for flexibility goes against its national low-carbon strategy.
• This French stance could also trigger a domino effect at the EU level, where the political setup is less favorable to the Green Deal enforcement.

Conclusion: The editorial concludes that at a crucial time for the energy transition, concessions to the automotive industry could undermine the EU's Green deal and cause considerable delay in decarbonization.

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