Now, the focus must shift decisively to what will make the transition work in practice: complementary EU policies that deliver infrastructure at scale and stimulate demand for new and used electric vehicles across all Member States.

The direction is clear; Europe’s automotive sector and its customers need a credible, supportive and economically sustainable pathway to clean mobility.

The omnibus introduces welcome regulatory simplification and confirms technological openness beyond 2035, allowing manufacturers to continue offering plug-in hybrids and range-extender vehicles. By enabling a 90% fleet CO₂ reduction rather than a de facto 100% ban. The European Commission preserves flexibility while maintaining the climate objective by introducing accompanying upstream compensation requirements.

But regulatory adjustment alone will not deliver success. The real challenge is accelerating demand.

“Targets fail when the conditions for meeting them are not in place,” said Jürgen Hasler, Co-President of AME. “Europe never lacked ambition. What it lacked was sufficient focus on the consumer experience and the real constraints faced by households and small businesses.”

“It is in our collective interest to reconcile decarbonisation with economic reality,” added Xavier Horent, Co-Chair of AME, “and to protect the massive investments already made by manufacturers, dealers and automotive service companies across Europe.”

From the perspective of dealers and repairers - those closest to consumers - the gaps are evident. Electric mobility remains unevenly affordable, inconsistently supported and insufficiently anchored in Europe’s infrastructure. High battery replacement costs, fragmented charging networks and local grid limitations continue to undermine consumer confidence. AME also stresses the need for segment-specific policies, as passenger cars and vans face distinct market realities.

The next phase of EU policy must therefore move from headline targets to solid groundwork:

  • Consumer care and repairability, especially for batteries, must improve. Repair and refurbishment should become the norm, not the exception, to contain costs and protect trust.
  • Charging must become simpler, cheaper and more transparent, with rapid deployment beyond major cities and real solutions for drivers without private parking.
  • Electricity grids must be reinforced to support rising demand, ensuring electrification is an enabler rather than a bottleneck.
  • The used-vehicle market must become a policy priority. Mass adoption will depend less on new sales than on affordable, reliable used electric and hybrid vehicles with predictable residual values.

AME fully supports Europe’s climate objectives and the decarbonisation of road transport. But success will be measured not by regulation alone, but by consumer uptake. The European Commission must now deliver policies that unlock demand and make electric mobility viable for all Europeans.

The automotive package marks a cornerstone for the years ahead. Automotive Mobility Europe stands ready to engage constructively in the discussions on the implementation of the measures announced today.

For further information, please contact:

  • Dorothée Dayraut-Jullian, Head of Public Affairs and Communication – +336.16.95.31.35

About Automotive Mobility Europe

Founded in 2025, the European association Automotive Mobility Europe (AME) represents authorized vehicle dealers, independent repairers, service stations, the recharging network of electric vehicles, vehicles recyclers and all services related to the automotive aftermarket. The sales and maintenance sector accounts for 4.5 million jobs in the EU, making it the largest sector of employment in the European Automotive sector. With great care for customer service and expertise, we are the direct link to the consumers and are the key factor to push sustainable mobility.