We are delighted to invite you to a hybrid event which will be held on Wednesday, 25th of March at 17.00.
The event will consist of an afternoon of discussion on the evolution of automotive mobility in the EU. This event will also be a timely opportunity to discuss the benefits and challenges for both consumers and the industry of the transition towards a cleaner and affordable transport system.
Speakers and further details will be announced in the coming days, however, we are publishing this event now to ensure you save the date.
This event is public and will be held both onsite and online.
Due to a limited number of seats, please await final confirmation from us after registration.
This event is hosted by
About the debate
The European Union faces significant challenges in developing automotive based individual mobility that is both sustainable and affordable. As cars remain the dominant means of transport for many Europeans, the EU has recently put forward an Automotive Package aimed at accelerating the transition to low and zero-emission vehicles and reducing CO₂ emissions from new cars and vans, in line with the EU’s 2030 climate objectives and longer-term ambitions, including the 2040 target. The package also seeks to promote the decarbonisation of both private and corporate fleets by encouraging innovation in vehicle technologies and supporting the rollout of charging and refuelling infrastructure.
As company cars account for a large share of new vehicle registrations, and typically cover higher annual mileage than privately owned vehicles, the European Commission hopes to reduce emissions and plans to stimulate the development of the second-hand market for electric vehicles, ultimately hoping to lower prices for consumers. In this connection, the European Commission has proposed the greening of corporate fleets regulation, as well as other initiatives to increase the demand for electric vehicles. However, a crucial challenge lies in ensuring that regulatory obligations are well-designed, proportionate and fit for purpose, and do not impose additional burdens on the EU economy and on consumers.
At the same time, the EU’s 2040 climate target has further increased pressure on the mobility and transportation sector by signalling the need for CO₂ emission reduction, trying to enforce a rapid shift away from fossil energies, and from internal combustion engine vehicles towards low or zero-emission alternatives. This process has raised questions about whether both individuals and companies can realistically contribute to meet these objectives without facing financial strains or reduced mobility options.
This may cause difficulties particularly given that the uptake of electromobility and alternative fuels is still lagging, and its supporting infrastructure varies widely across the EU. Expanding this comprehensive infrastructure remains a key factor for the success of alternative mobility options. Indeed, consumers need charging points with fast charging times, transparent and affordable pricing, competition and easy access. Against this backdrop, the need for a timely review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) has emerged.
Further challenges arise from the implementation of the Emissions Trading System II (ETS II), which extends carbon pricing to transport fuels as well, in order to incentivise cleaner choices. While ETS II is intended to support decarbonisation, it may also increase fuel and mobility costs for households that rely significantly on private cars, highlighting the importance of accompanying measures, including targeted incentives or compensation mechanisms at both national and EU level.
In this context, broader concerns are emerging regarding the EU’s evolving approach to mobility, with special regard to the planned phase-out of combustion engine vehicles and the restrictive framework for the uptake of low-emission fuels. These concerns add up to the high upfront cost of electric vehicles, the question of the electricity grid upgrades, the need to consider a broader range of low-emission propulsion technologies alongside battery-electric vehicles, such as plug-in hybrids or the need to use the potential for CO₂ reduction in transport through sustainable fuels.
The automotive sector and individual mobility currently face a multitude of challenges while trying to find a balance between environmental ambition, economic efficiency, affordability and social fairness. Forward thinking legislation should ensure that the EU transport policy’s sustainability objectives are achieved by highlighting the need for a flexible and technology-neutral approach that ensures that targets remain achievable whilst placing consumer needs and interests at the centre of the EU legislation.
This is a public event, hence the Chatham House Rule will not apply.
The event will start at 17.00 both onsite and online, while the onsite welcoming will begin at 16.30. The discussion will last around an hour and a half.
Due to a limited number of seats, please await final confirmation from us after registration, if you wish to attend this event onsite.
The audience will be able to ask questions both in person and through sli.do #Automotive
We look forward to hosting you on the 25th of March 2026.
