Unleashing a flourishing zero-emissions industry in the automotive sector is what the Automotive Action Plan aims to achieve under its suitable strategic structure.

The auto industry is calling for urgent action to address the sluggish transformation towards zero-emission mobility, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles. The industry's plea includes increased AFIR targets, purchase and fiscal incentives, and a balanced trade policy to boost mass adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

Maintaining technology openness is crucial for Europe's resilience and strategic autonomy, with flexibility for all technologies like plug-in hybrid vehicles, range extenders, hydrogen, and other climate-neutral solutions. This flexibility is vital for more than 3,000 companies, many of them small and medium-sized enterprises, to thrive in Europe.

The truck and bus industry, essential to Europe's economy and daily life for millions of citizens and businesses, needs appropriate recognition. European vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers have invested hundreds of billions of euros towards zero-emission mobility, and the market for zero-emission vehicles is not picking up fast enough.

The industry acknowledges the collective efforts of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioners Tzitzikostas, Séjourné, Minzatu, Virkkunen, and Hoekstra for engaging with the sector at this critical juncture. However, much greater emphasis is required to deploy critical infrastructure, ensure cost parity, and boost demand for zero-emission trucks and buses.

The transition to zero-emission vehicles needs immediate ambitious actions. The industry stresses the need for a balanced trade policy that safeguards European added value and maintains the benefits of a globally connected supply chain. Proposed penalty relief for 2025 targets for cars and vans is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.

The industry also calls for an accelerated review of CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles to 2025 based on an urgent assessment of enabling conditions. The Strategic Dialogue recognises the need for a technology-neutral approach for decarbonisation. Ola Källenius, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, emphasises the need for a framework ensuring EU's competitiveness in the automotive industry.

Matthias Zink, President of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, stresses the need for greater flexibility to ensure the transition is achievable. The specific decisions for implementing the priorities of the automotive sector in the next 2023 strategy-dialog meeting are not detailed in the available sources; however, the focus is on decisively addressing the crisis in the European automotive industry by fostering transformation to maintain competitiveness and jobs.

More support for autonomous vehicles and European battery supply chain are positive signs. The industry seeks access to funding for the automotive supply chain to enable global competitiveness in critical automotive technologies. As the auto industry navigates this critical transition, it is clear that immediate and ambitious action is needed to ensure a sustainable and competitive future.

Unleashing a flourishing zero-emissions industry in the automotive sector is what the Automotive Action Plan aims to achieve under its suitable strategic structure.