Government outlines its position on legislative proposals included in the Commission’s Automotive Package

On 12 February 2026, the Government submitted three communications concerning proposals included in the European Commission’s Automotive Package to Parliament. On 30 January 2026, the Government also submitted a Europe communication regarding the Commission’s proposal to amend the EU Regulation on the CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

On 16 December 2025, the European Commission published the Automotive Package to promote the automotive industry’s competitiveness and support the transition to clean vehicles. The package includes proposals for amending the EU Regulation on the CO2 emissions standards for passenger cars, vans and heavy-duty vehicles, a Regulation on Green Corporate Fleets, and measures streamlining regulation on vehicles (the Automotive Omnibus).

Government prepared to accept flexibilities in vehicle manufacturers’ CO2 emissions standards

The Commission proposes several changes and flexibilities to the average CO2 emissions reduction targets for passenger cars and vans first registered in the EU. According to the proposal, targets such as the 2035 CO2 emissions standards target for passenger cars and vans would be reduced from the current 100% to 90%, provided that the remaining emissions are compensated. The Commission also proposes several flexibilities for the period before 2035. Additionally, the 2030 CO2 emissions target for vans would be reduced from 50% to 40%.

In terms of managing the national costs of emissions reduction measures, the Government considers it important to maintain a sufficient emissions reduction effect in CO2 emissions standards legislation. The Government is prepared to accept flexibilities in CO2 emissions standards for vehicle manufacturers to improve the competitiveness of the European automotive industry. However, it is very important that the flexibilities proposed by the Commission are not expanded, and that the CO2 emissions standards are not further weakened beyond the Commission’s current proposal in the forthcoming negotiations.

Regarding the EU Regulation on the CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, the Commission proposed a targeted amendment that would provide manufacturers with greater flexibility in achieving the 2030 emissions reduction targets. Given the challenges faced by some manufacturers in reaching their CO2 targets, the Government is prepared to accept the proposed flexibility.

Government supports increasing the number of zero-emission corporate vehicles

According to the proposed Regulation to decarbonise corporate fleets, Member States must ensure that as of 2030, a specific share of large companies’ new passenger car and van registrations are low- or zero-emission vehicles. The targets will be set for the Member States.

The Government welcomes the Commission’s objective to increase the market share of zero-emission vehicles. The Government considers it important to improve business competitiveness and notes that the strengthening of the competitiveness of the EU automotive industry may also have indirect positive effects on Finland’s economy. The Government emphasises that emissions reduction measures should be cost-effective and technology-neutral. It considers the national obligation levels proposed by the Commission for zero- and low-emission vehicles, as well as the limitation to passenger cars and vans, to be justified given the level of development of vehicle markets. However, the Government stresses the importance of effectively avoiding overlapping regulation and an unnecessary administrative burden.

Government supports the objective of simplifying technical legislation

As part of the Automotive Package, the Commission proposed streamlining technical legislation regarding vehicles. The goal is to ease the administrative burden for the automotive industry and the sector and boost the EU’s competitiveness. The measures would ease the requirements concerning the installation and use of driver’s log devices and speed limiters in electric lorries, as well as streamlining the Euro 7 emissions regulation and noise regulation for vehicle manufacturers by eliminating overlaps. The Commission also proposes the establishment of a new vehicle subcategory for small electric cars.

The Government supports the Commission’s goals of simplifying regulation and reducing the administrative burden. The reduction of the administrative burden in the automotive industry and the sector ultimately benefits both consumers and businesses. However, the Government considers it important to ensure that the simplification or easing of regulation does not have negative effects on road safety or environmental protection.

What’s next?

At EU level, Member States and the European Parliament will now develop their own positions on the Commission’s proposals.

Enquiries:

Sara Österberg, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 041, [email protected] (CO2 emissions standards)

Anu Aavamäki-Tortosa, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 026, [email protected] (corporate vehicles)

Veli-Matti Syrjänen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 124, [email protected] (streamlined vehicle legislation)