Overview
- In a December 8 letter, five French ministers said Paris will accept targeted loosening only if incentives favor vehicles and components made in Europe.
- The proposal pushes a European value‑added threshold of roughly 75% and a preferential regulatory treatment, such as a CO2 bonus, for qualifying electric models.
- France stresses staying close to the all‑electric trajectory to safeguard recent investments and the emerging European battery supply chain.
- Member states remain split, with Germany and allies pressing for broader easing, including continued sales of combustion engines, while others resist watering down 2035.
- According to reporting, the Commission plans a two‑stage announcement, outlining rules on electrics next week and addressing local‑content criteria in January, as industry responses diverge between suppliers and major carmakers.