The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and European Aluminium are urging European Union (EU) lawmakers to extend a proposed material-credit mechanism in car CO2 rules to low-carbon aluminium as well as steel. They want both metals covered by one technology-neutral system using harmonised carbon-intensity thresholds and verification rules tied to EU industrial policy.

The groups say equal eligibility would give automakers more flexibility in meeting obligations while supporting demand for lower-carbon European materials. They also argue that engineers should remain free to choose materials based on application, including lightweighting and energy efficiency.

A 30 July Irish Presidency Steering Note records broad Member State support for recognising low-carbon steel and asks delegations to consider aluminium. ACEA and European Aluminium say that would be consistent with the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), which identifies both sectors as strategically important.

They are calling for Article 5b of the proposed revision to Regulation (EU) 2019/631 to be amended accordingly. The mechanism, they say, should use transparent carbon-accounting rules and preserve fair competition between materials.

The two associations also want the methodology to match work under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and IAA. Their intervention centres the debate on whether the credit should reward verified low-carbon content without favouring one material.

Source: ACEA