Stellantis Supports Germany’s Push to Revisit Future EU Emissions Rules

Stellantis is throwing its weight behind Germany’s campaign to tweak the EU’s upcoming vehicle emissions rules, siding with a growing chorus of car giants and governments pushing back on what they see as overly strict standards slated for the 2030s. Berlin’s bid to overhaul the regulations has found a vocal ally in the automaker, which insists the current framework could slam the brakes on growth if left untouched.

Not exactly breaking news, though. Stellantis has been pounding the table for months, warning that Europe’s rigid policies are strangling recovery in a market still shaky from pandemic whiplash and supply chain chaos. They’re urging quick fixes—not just tweaks but real flexibility—to jumpstart sales and keep factories humming.

But here’s the thing: Germany and Stellantis aren’t the only ones rattling the cage. Volkswagen, Renault, even Italy’s government have lobbed bombs at the EU’s 2035 zero-emissions deadline, arguing the timeline’s too tight, the rules too narrow. The fear? A draconian crackdown could backfire, choking off innovation while piling more pressure on an industry already sweating bullets over the shift to electric.

And let’s not ignore the elephant in the showroom—this isn’t just about tailpipes. BMW brass recently dropped a truth bomb at the Paris Motor Show: going all-in on battery-electric vehicles might hand China even more control over critical tech like next-gen batteries. Some execs are begging for a “tech-neutral” approach, letting manufacturers hedge their bets with hybrids, hydrogen, whatever works—instead of being shackled to one solution.

Meanwhile, buyers aren’t waiting around. Fresh stats show plug-in hybrids surging to nearly 9.5% of new car sales in Europe, elbowing out diesel. That’s a head-turning shift, proving demand isn’t moving in straight lines.

So where does that leave the EU? Stuck between green dreams and cold, hard reality. Lawmakers want deep cuts, fast. Carmakers want breathing room. Stellantis backing Germany’s play signals this fight’s nowhere near over, and the rules of the road could still take a sharp turn before anyone hits 2035.