Van Makers Want to Slash the Electric Van Market. Europe Can Boost It Instead. - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the European van manufacturing industry's push, led by ACEA, to weaken CO2 emission targets for vans by 2030, proposing a lower reduction target (30–35% instead of the current -50%) and extended averaging periods (five years for 2025–29 and 2030–34). Such a rollback would drastically reduce the market share of electric vans (e-vans), cutting expected electric van uptake in 2030 by nearly half and potentially decreasing the total number of e-vans on European roads by 30% by 2030 and 25% by 2035. This setback would increase CO2 emissions, air pollution, and overall costs, despite electric vans being projected to be cheaper to own and operate than diesel vans by then. The article counters industry claims that electrification challenges justify weaker standards, noting that many obstacles are already being addressed. For example, regulatory burdens related to heavier electric vans (such as licensing and tachograph requirements) are being