This Week in Automotive — Brussels (#14, 2026)
Parliament committees advance road transport rules; Market stability reserve for ETS2 amended; Reports on vehicle registration and Connecting Europe Facility debated; Council ministers discuss fuel volatility.
April 12, 2026 to April 18, 2026
Parliament committees advance road transport rules; Market stability reserve for ETS2 amended; Reports on vehicle registration and Connecting Europe Facility debated; Council ministers discuss fuel volatility.
📋 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
- Informal video conference of transport ministers: On April 21, the EU Council's Informal video conference of transport ministers configuration is scheduled to hold an informal meeting ministerial meeting in Brussels.
EU Council
Transport ministers address fuel price volatility and resilience
Transport ministers of the EU met via an informal video conference on 21 April 2026 under the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council configuration. The discussion focused on a coordinated response to the ongoing crisis, particularly measures to address volatility in fuel prices and to enhance the resilience of the transport sector. No formal conclusions were released.
EP Committee Work
ENVI committee: Report on ETS2 market stability reserve for buildings and road transport
The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) adopted its report on the proposal to amend the market stability reserve (MSR) for the emissions trading system covering road transport and buildings (ETS2) on 15 April 2026. The committee supported quicker release of allowances from the MSR in case of price spikes, gradual cancellation of unused allowances, and asked the Commission for further assessments regarding the cap on carbon prices and social impacts. Rapporteur Danuše Nerudová (EPP, Czechia) noted the need for measures to shield households from negative impacts and to strengthen the social climate fund.
TRAN committee: Draft report on vehicle registration documents and registers
The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) published its report on the proposal for a directive concerning vehicle registration documents and data recorded in national vehicle registers on 14 April 2026. The report, with Johan Danielsson as rapporteur, supports the harmonisation of physical and digital registration certificates and improved data sharing to facilitate cross-border vehicle re-registration and combat fraud. Amendments include safeguards for citizens with limited digital access and provisions for more accurate odometer readings and vehicle data exchanges.
ENVI committee: Report on Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for 2028–2034—market stability reserve for buildings, road transport, and additional sectors
On 17 April 2026, the ENVI Committee adopted its report on the proposal to amend Decision (EU) 2015/1814 concerning the market stability reserve (MSR) as it relates to buildings, road transport, and additional sectors. Rapporteur Danuše Nerudová addressed the reserve's role in price stability and sectoral decarbonisation. The report follows recent changes in the emissions trading framework and focuses on the integration of these new sectors into the MSR mechanism.
REGI committee: Opinion on Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 2028–2034
The Committee on Regional Development (REGI) adopted its opinion on 16 April 2026, with rapporteur Antonella Sberna, regarding the regulation to establish the Connecting Europe Facility for 2028–2034. The opinion emphasises investment in trans-European transport and energy networks, cross-border connectivity, and the importance of addressing regional disparities through infrastructure projects. The committee highlighted the need for territorial cohesion and efficient use of EU resources.
ITRE committee: Draft report on acceleration of permit-granting procedures for energy and transport projects
The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) published a draft report on 16 April 2026, with rapporteur Niels Fuglsang, concerning amendments to Directives (EU) 2018/2001, 2019/944, and 2024/1788 for accelerating permit-granting procedures for key projects. The draft addresses procedures impacting the timely deployment of energy and transport infrastructure, aiming to remove administrative bottlenecks and expedite permitting for projects supporting EU decarbonisation and connectivity objectives.
TRAN committee: Draft opinion on European Fund for cohesion, agriculture, rural, fisheries, and security (2028–2034)—transport aspects
On 14 April 2026, the TRAN committee published its draft opinion on the regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social, and territorial cohesion, agriculture, and security for 2028–2034. Rapporteur Rosa Serrano Sierra's draft calls for dedicated funding for the completion of TEN-T networks, decarbonisation of transport, improvement of rural and remote region connectivity, and support for sustainable tourism. The opinion also addresses the integration of transport priorities in national and regional planning.
DEVE committee: Opinion on amendments to the Critical Raw Materials Act—risk preparedness and supply chain resilience
The Committee on Development (DEVE) adopted its opinion on 15 April 2026, rapporteur Marit Maij, concerning amendments to Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (Critical Raw Materials Act). The opinion supports enhanced Commission powers in identifying large companies subject to risk preparedness, supply chain mapping, and mitigation of vulnerabilities, including those related to automotive supply chains and electric vehicles. The committee calls for conflict-sensitive analysis and consultation with stakeholders, particularly in partner countries.
What We're Reading This Week
- Commission launches platform to aggregate demand of raw materials and boost diversification: New platform aims to strengthen supply chains by pooling raw material demand and encouraging sourcing from diverse suppliers.
- EAFO Data Update: Strong growth in BEV registrations across Europe in Q1 2026 (preliminary): Preliminary data shows battery electric vehicle registrations surged across Europe in early 2026, signaling accelerating market adoption.
- Low-emission zones: MPs reject compromise amendment and vote for their removal: MPs vote to scrap low-emission zones, rejecting a proposed compromise aimed at balancing environmental and economic concerns.
- Electric cars: Which European countries offer the most support in 2026?: Several European countries plan to expand incentives and subsidies for electric car buyers in 2026, intensifying market competition.
