Estonian Businesses Oppose EU's Mandatory EV Fleet Targets
The Estonian Chamber of Commerce is formally opposing a European Commission proposal to mandate zero-emission vehicles in corporate fleets, arguing that the high purchase price of electric vans and insufficient national charging infrastructure make the proposed 2030 targets unworkable.
- —The Estonian Chamber of Commerce (Koda) is opposing a European Commission proposal to set mandatory targets for the share of zero- and low-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the fleets of large companies, citing concerns about over-regulation and increased costs.
- —The proposed EU regulation aims to reduce carbon emissions from road transport and boost the availability of used ZEVs, with specific targets for Estonia: 55% of new passenger cars and 32% of new vans for large companies by 2030, rising to 76% for both by 2035.
- —Koda argues that the higher purchase cost of ZEVs, particularly electric vans, is a significant barrier, and that mandatory targets could substantially increase company expenses.
- —The chamber also highlighted insufficient charging infrastructure and grid capacity in Estonia, as well as concerns about the longer charging times and reduced range of electric vehicles impacting time-critical services.
- —Koda advocates for a technologically neutral approach to emission reduction, suggesting alternatives like biofuels, which the current proposal does not sufficiently encourage.
Recap
Estonia's opposition to the EU's ZEV mandate exposes the fundamental conflict between Brussels' ambitious climate goals and the economic realities on the ground in member states. The dispute is not merely about electric vehicles; it's a proxy for the larger debate over who bears the cost of the green transition. The chamber's focus on infrastructure gaps and calls for 'technological neutrality' signal a preference for market-driven solutions over top-down regulation, a sentiment likely shared across other EU nations facing similar economic and logistical hurdles.