This Week in Automotive — Brussels (#13, 2026)
TRAN backs digital vehicle registration; ENVI, ITRE issue opinions on industrial, energy, and digital priorities in cohesion funds; committee work on permitting for renewables, grids.
April 05, 2026 to April 11, 2026
TRAN backs digital vehicle registration; ENVI, ITRE issue opinions on industrial, energy, and digital priorities in cohesion funds; committee work on permitting for renewables, grids.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, (EC) No 1223/2009 and (EU) 2019/1009 as regards simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; 14a. Establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013; 2025 Safety Gate Report• Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views.
- Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2028-2034, amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/1153.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On April 16, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; 14a. Establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013; 2025 Safety Gate Report• Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On April 16, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Full page dump.
EU Council
EU transport ministers discuss coordinated response to fuel price volatility
Transport ministers of EU Member States met via video conference on 21 April 2026 under the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council configuration. The meeting focused on the need for a coordinated response to the current crisis, with particular attention to measures addressing volatile fuel prices and strengthening the resilience of road and other transport modes.
EP Committee Work
TRAN Committee supports digital vehicle registration documents
The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) adopted its position on the revision of common EU requirements for vehicle registration documents on 8 April 2026. MEPs backed the digital vehicle registration certificate as the main format within three years of entry into force, while maintaining an option for a physical document to accommodate citizens with limited digital access. The draft includes requirements for electronic registration of vehicle data and obliges Member States to open registers for cross-border data sharing, including information on tampering and remote sensing data for heavy-duty vehicles. Rapporteur Johan Danielsson (S&D, SE) stated the rules aim to combat fraud and reduce bureaucracy. The committee voted to open interinstitutional negotiations, pending plenary approval.
ENVI draft opinion: Acceleration of permit-granting for renewables and grids
On 8 April 2026, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) published its draft opinion on the proposal amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, 2019/944, and 2024/1788 regarding acceleration of permit-granting procedures for renewable energy projects and electricity grids. Rapporteur Rasmus Nordqvist outlined amendments to streamline administrative processes, clarify the application of 'do no significant harm' principles, and reinforce measures for digitalisation and environmental safeguards. The draft includes provisions for Member State mapping of renewable potential, climate risk, and biodiversity sensitivity, as well as special arrangements for small-scale solar and storage installations.
ENVI draft opinion: Guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure
On 8 April 2026, ENVI released its draft opinion on the regulation concerning guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (TEN-E), amending Regulations (EU) 2019/942, 2019/943, and 2024/1789. Rapporteur Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska called for aligning infrastructure planning with climate neutrality targets, greater integration of grid and hydrogen planning, and consideration of cross-border clean molecule infrastructure. The opinion recommends enhanced resilience measures, technology neutrality, and transparency in project selection, including provisions for cybersecurity and the role of advanced nuclear installations.
ITRE draft opinion: Cohesion funds focus on industrial, digital, and energy priorities
On 7 April 2026, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) published its draft opinion on the regulation establishing the European Fund for Cohesion, Agriculture, Fisheries, Prosperity and Security for 2028-2034. Rapporteur Jana Nagyová proposed amendments to reinforce industrial competitiveness, energy infrastructure, digital transformation, and innovation capacity in national and regional plans. The report advocates for performance indicators tied to grid capacity, SME digitalisation, and critical raw materials, as well as complementarity with the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe.
What We're Reading This Week
- New rules for measuring electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refilling stations in the EU enter into force today: Standardized measurement requirements now apply across the EU for electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling stations, aiming to ensure transparency and consumer protection.
