This Week in Automotive — Brussels (#18, 2026)
Transport GHG accounting regulation enters Official Journal; EU Talent Pool established; Commission consults on ETS benchmarks; Council formalises UK vehicle data exchange.
May 10, 2026 to May 16, 2026
Transport GHG accounting regulation enters Official Journal; EU Talent Pool established; Commission consults on ETS benchmarks; Council formalises UK vehicle data exchange.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission presents updated EU Emissions Trading System benchmarks for consultation
On 10 May 2026, the European Commission proposed updated benchmark values for the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) covering the 2026–2030 allocation period. The benchmarks, now open to public and Member State consultation, will set levels for free allocation of allowances to European industry, with the average coverage expected at 75% of emissions. The update aligns with the requirements under the ETS Directive and maintains indirect emissions coverage for 14 product benchmarks, with a projected financial impact of €4 billion. The Commission aims to incentivise electrification and has announced the introduction of sector-specific fallback benchmarks in the upcoming ETS revision. Following the four-week consultation and scrutiny by the Climate Change Committee, adoption is planned by end-June 2026.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 on the greenhouse gas emissions accounting of transport services enters into force
Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 of 29 April 2026 establishes harmonised rules for the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions from transport services starting or ending in the EU, effective from 2 December 2030. The regulation mandates the use of EN ISO 14083:2023 as the common methodology and introduces EU-level databases for default emission values and energy carriers. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises are exempt from mandatory verification, while the Commission will provide a free calculation tool for SMEs. The regulation targets operators, service organisers, hub operators, and data intermediaries, aiming to improve data comparability and reduce administrative burdens.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1047 establishing an EU Talent Pool published
Regulation (EU) 2026/1047 of 29 April 2026 creates an EU Talent Pool, a digital platform matching jobseekers from third countries with vacancies in participating Member States. The regulation sets out procedures for registration, employer participation, and the use of a standardised IT platform supporting labour shortages, including in the automotive and transport sectors. The regulation enters into force 20 days after publication and is directly applicable across Member States.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1069 formalises UK access to EU vehicle registration data
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1069, adopted on 12 May 2026, sets the date from which EU Member States may supply vehicle registration data to the United Kingdom under Article 540(2) of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Following a successful evaluation and pilot run, the decision allows data exchange from 15 June 2026, supporting cooperation in law enforcement and vehicle-related crime prevention.
EU Council
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council: Informal meeting of energy ministers
Energy ministers held an informal meeting on 12 May 2026 under the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council configuration.
EP Committee Work
TRAN Committee: Draft opinion on CO2 standards and vehicle labelling
On 11 May 2026, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) published a draft opinion on the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/631 regarding CO2 emission performance standards for new light-duty vehicles, vehicle labelling, and repealing Directive 1999/94/EC. Rapporteur: Jens Gieseke.
TRAN Committee: Draft report on speed limitation device exemptions for electric N2 vehicles
The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) released a draft report on 11 May 2026 concerning a proposal to amend Directive 92/6/EEC, exempting certain N2 electric vehicles from mandatory installation and use of speed limitation devices. Rapporteur: Merja Kyllönen.
ENVI Committee: Draft report on clean corporate vehicles regulation
The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) issued a draft report on 11 May 2026 on the proposal for a regulation on clean corporate vehicles. Rapporteur: Tiemo Wölken.
What We're Reading This Week
- China expands its lithium dominance in Latin America at the expense of water-strained ecosystems: China's growing investment in Latin American lithium extraction threatens local water resources and heightens ecological concerns.
- UK's Vertu Motors warns prolonged Iran war could hit prices and demand: Vertu Motors cautions that extended conflict in Iran may disrupt supply chains, raising vehicle prices and dampening demand.
- European EV market starts 2026 with 20% BEV share: Battery electric vehicles account for one-fifth of new car sales in Europe as 2026 gets underway, signaling rapid EV adoption.
- AI Act: European lawmakers advance groundbreaking regulations aimed at governing artificial intelligence use and ensuring ethical standards across the EU.
