Stellantis chief reverses stance, defends stricter EU emissions limits

The head of Stellantis Corporation is known for his controversial decisions and statements. Now, he seems to be contradicting himself.

Carlos Tavares was among the biggest critics of electrification and tightening emission standards a few years ago. Today, however, he opposes plans to ease them. It concerns the potential postponement of new regulations, which were supposed to effect in 2025.

According to the new guidelines, the average emission limits for manufacturers offering their cars in the EU would be reduced from 106 grams per kilometre to 95 grams per kilometre. However, it is not known whether the regulations will come into force as scheduled. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has requested their two-year postponement.

It might seem that Tavares, who has made a name for himself as a critic of the EU's automotive policy, would support this idea. Nothing could be further from the truth - the president of Stellantis Corporation once again surprised public opinion.

- It would be surreal to change the rules now - he explained in an interview with "Agence France-Presse." - Everyone has known about the rules for a long time and has had time to prepare, and so now it's time to have a race.

This is not the first situation in which Tavares speaks with a different voice than ACEA. In June 2022, Stellantis Corporation officially withdrew from the association to move from lobbying to more direct interaction.