EU Must Stick to Fossil Fuel Car Ban, Says Incoming Transport Chief

Apostolos Tzitzikostas Defends Emissions Reduction Targets in Gruelling Parliamentary Hearing
Incoming European Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, has firmly rejected calls to delay the EU’s ambitious fossil-fuel car ban, reaffirming the continent’s commitment to stringent CO2 emission reduction targets. In a marathon confirmation hearing on November 4, 2024, the Greek politician won support from most members of the European Parliament (MEPs) while pushing back against pressure from his own political family, the European People’s Party (EPP), and nationalist groups.

Strong Stand on Emissions Reduction Goals
Tzitzikostas, a long-time governor from Central Macedonia, made it clear that the EU would not waver from its goals to reduce carbon emissions from road transport. “We have two CO2 standards. We have specific goals, and we have to stick to the plan: 2025, 25% reduction; 2035, 100% reduction,” he stated at the start of the hearing. The ambitious timeline has drawn criticism from carmakers, who warn of major economic impacts, including billions of euros in fines and job losses, should they fail to meet increasingly strict emissions limits.

Despite this, Tzitzikostas remained resolute in sticking to the EU’s existing strategy, suggesting that the automotive industry must adapt rather than delay progress. He emphasized that companies still have over a decade to transition, saying, “To abandon the targets now would signal a lack of stability and trust in EU market rules.”

Plans for Clean Industrial Deal and Electric Vehicle Promotion
The incoming transport commissioner also highlighted plans to support the transition through the “Clean Industrial Deal,” an initiative promised by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen within the first 100 days of her new mandate. This deal will focus on accelerating the electrification of corporate fleets, which make up 60% of the European market, with the goal of fostering a vibrant second-hand electric vehicle (EV) market.

Although he stopped short of proposing binding legal targets, Tzitzikostas outlined plans for incentives aimed at driving demand for smaller, more affordable electric vehicles, a sector currently underserved by manufacturers. These measures are intended to help automakers meet the stringent 2025 and 2035 CO2 targets.

Commitment to Rail Travel and Sustainable Transport
In addition to his strong position on the fossil fuel car ban, Tzitzikostas also earned praise from environmental groups by pledging to prioritize rail transport across Europe. He announced plans to introduce a unified ticketing system for train travel within the EU, allowing passengers to book trips seamlessly across borders with a single click. Additionally, he vowed to promote the development of high-speed rail networks and night trains, which would offer greener alternatives to air travel.

Addressing Safety Concerns After Greek Rail Disaster
One of the most sensitive topics during the hearing was the 2023 Tempi rail disaster in Greece, which claimed 57 lives under Tzitzikostas’s oversight. In response, he assured MEPs that safety would be his top priority and reiterated that EU safety regulations would be applied uniformly across all member states, regardless of political or national affiliations.

Moving Forward: Confirmation Expected
After a long debate, Tzitzikostas’s candidacy was endorsed by a majority of MEPs, with the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) voting against him and the small Left group abstaining. The European Parliament will soon vote on the full Commission, with Tzitzikostas expected to be formally confirmed as the next European Commissioner for Transport.