This Week in Automotive — Brussels (#15, 2026)
AccelerateEU Communication targets fossil fuel crisis; EU institutions sign Single Market Roadmap; Informal Council addresses transport fuel volatility; EP draft reports on energy infrastructure.
April 19, 2026 to April 25, 2026
AccelerateEU Communication targets fossil fuel crisis; EU institutions sign Single Market Roadmap; Informal Council addresses transport fuel volatility; EP draft reports on energy infrastructure.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📝 EP Motions & Questions
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Informal meeting of transport ministers: On April 28, the EU Council's Informal meeting of transport ministers configuration is scheduled to hold an informal meeting ministerial meeting in Brussels.
European Commission
Commission proposes actions to protect Europeans from the fossil energy crisis and accelerate the shift to clean, homegrown energy
The European Commission published the AccelerateEU Communication in response to the Middle East conflict's impact on energy prices. The Communication outlines coordinated measures, including refilling gas storage, exceptional oil stock releases, and creation of a Fuel Observatory to monitor fuel availability. Temporary and targeted actions are proposed, such as energy vouchers, social leasing schemes, and a State Aid Temporary Framework for vulnerable sectors. The Commission will present an Electrification Action Plan by summer 2026 to remove barriers in industrial, transport, and building electrification. Investments are to be leveraged via the Recovery and Resilience Facility and cohesion policy funds; a Clean Energy Investment Summit is scheduled to mobilise private financing. These measures will be discussed at the Informal European Council in Cyprus on April 23-24.
European Institutions agree Roadmap to achieve “One Europe, one Market” by end of 2027
On April 23, 2026, the President of Cyprus, along with the Presidents of the European Parliament and European Commission, signed the 'One Europe, One Market Roadmap.' The Roadmap aims to strengthen the EU's competitiveness and resilience by setting clear targets for legislative proposals and agreements, quarterly reviews, and defined responsibilities for each institution. The initiative responds to recent economic and geopolitical volatility and will be monitored through regular stocktaking. The Roadmap is designed for full transparency and requires delivery by the end of 2027. The agreement was reached during the Informal meeting of Heads of State or Government in Cyprus.
Remarks by Executive Vice-President Ribera and Commissioner Jørgensen at the press conference on AccelerateEU
On April 21, 2026, Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera and Commissioner Dan Jørgensen addressed the press on AccelerateEU, noting a 15% increase in renewable energy generation in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025. Ribera stressed the importance of electrification and energy efficiency for competitiveness and resilience. Jørgensen highlighted the €24 billion increase in fossil fuel import costs since the Middle East conflict and outlined practical measures adopted by Member States, including Austria's replacement of fossil boilers and France's social leasing for electric vehicles. The Commission will convene a Clean Energy Investment Summit to mobilise private sector funding for clean energy infrastructure.
EU Council
Transport ministers discuss coordinated response to fuel price volatility
On April 21, 2026, transport ministers held an informal video conference under the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council configuration. They focused discussions on coordinated measures to address fuel price volatility and strengthen the resilience of EU transport systems.
EP Motions & Questions
Bogdan Rzońca tables motion on protection against unfair competition from non-EU countries
On April 21, 2026, Bogdan Rzońca, on behalf of the Committee on Petitions, tabled a motion for a resolution (B10-0185/2026) addressing unfair competition from non-EU countries, referencing concerns about state subsidies, regulatory gaps, and market surveillance in sectors such as electric vehicles.
EP Committee Work
ITRE Committee: Draft report on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure
On April 24, 2026, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) published a draft report on the regulation for guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure. Rapporteur Tsvetelina Penkova addresses amendments to Regulations (EU) 2019/942, 2019/943, and 2024/1789, and repeal of Regulation (EU) 2022/869.
ITRE Committee: Draft opinion on the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund
On April 21, 2026, the ITRE Committee released a draft opinion on the proposed regulation establishing the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund. Rapporteur Massimiliano Salini reviews the fund’s scope for accelerating decarbonisation across industry and transport sectors.
What We're Reading This Week
- Webinar: Launch of the Raw Materials Mechanism’s first Diversification Round: EU unveils new initiative to diversify raw material sources, aiming to strengthen supply chain resilience and sustainability.
- Brussels, 21.4.2026 SWD(2026) 117 final COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Analysis of the Member States’ 2025 ITS reports Acc: EU Commission evaluates 2025 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) reports, highlighting progress and challenges across member states.
- EU and US launch strategic partnership on critical minerals: Brussels and Washington formalize cooperation to secure critical mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on China.
