The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and European Aluminium are urging EU lawmakers to include low-carbon aluminium alongside low-carbon steel in the proposed material-credit mechanism for car CO2 regulations. They advocate for a uniform, technology-neutral system governed by harmonized carbon-intensity thresholds and verification rules aligned with EU industrial policy.
This equal treatment of both metals is believed to offer automakers greater flexibility in meeting regulations and boost demand for lower-carbon European materials. The groups stress the importance of allowing engineers to select materials based on performance criteria such as lightweighting and energy efficiency.
A recent Irish Presidency Steering Note reflects wide support among Member States for acknowledging low-carbon steel, prompting calls to also consider aluminium. ACEA and European Aluminium argue that such recognition aligns with the Industrial Accelerator Act, which identifies both sectors as critical.
They propose amendments to Article 5b of the revision to Regulation (EU) 2019/631, advocating for transparent carbon-accounting and fair competition between materials. Additionally, they want the methodology to be compatible with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the Industrial Accelerator Act, ensuring that the credit rewards verified low-carbon content without bias toward any single material.
