This Week in Automotive — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission selects 46 new critical raw materials projects; EU-China reach understanding on hybrid vehicle trade; Council decisions advance CBAM in EEA; Regulation updates for vehicle refrigeration certification.
October 05, 2026 to October 11, 2026
Commission selects 46 new critical raw materials projects; EU-China reach understanding on hybrid vehicle trade; Council decisions advance CBAM in EEA; Regulation updates for vehicle refrigeration certification.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On October 15, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting.
European Commission
Commission selects 46 new Strategic Projects to bolster the EU's supply of critical raw materials
On 8 October 2026, the European Commission announced the selection of 46 new Strategic Projects for critical raw materials across 16 Member States. These projects, comprising extraction, processing, and recycling, contribute to the benchmarks set by the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), Regulation (EU) 2023/XXXX, targeting 10% extraction, 40% processing, and 25% recycling capacity by 2030. The selected projects span 15 of 17 strategic raw materials under the CRMA, supporting supply chains in batteries, defence, aerospace, and permanent magnets. The Commission received 102 applications in the second call, with 92 assessed and selected in consultation with the Critical Raw Materials Board. Implementation is supported by Single Points of Contact in Member States and more than €2 billion in financial support mobilised via the Innovation Fund, State aid, and the European Investment Bank. The Commission will launch a new call for applications at the end of 2026.
Joint Statement at the second meeting of the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations
On 8-9 October 2026, Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and China's Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, met in Beijing for the second EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations (TIC). The discussions produced a list of deliverables, including a shared understanding on trade in hybrid vehicles and processes for BEV anti-subsidy cases. Both sides agreed to further technical dialogues on FSR and clean energy project inverters, as well as cooperation on trade monitoring and export controls. China committed to facilitate export licenses for rare earths and permanent magnets. The EU clarified its official guidance on country-neutral use of funds for clean energy projects. The next TIC ministerial meeting is scheduled for March 2027.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2214 correcting language versions on certification for fluorinated greenhouse gases in transport refrigeration
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2214 of 5 October 2026 corrects certain language versions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2215, which sets minimum requirements for certificates related to stationary refrigeration, air conditioning, and transport refrigeration equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases. The correction addresses substantive translation errors in the Polish, Hungarian, and Lithuanian texts concerning responsibilities and technical requirements. The regulation enters into force twenty days after publication.
EU Council
Environment Council to discuss EU emissions trading system and COP31 preparations
EU environment and climate ministers will meet on 12 October 2026 in Luxembourg to discuss the proposed review of the EU’s emissions trading system. The Council will also seek to approve conclusions on the EU’s negotiating positions ahead of the United Nations climate change (COP31) and biodiversity (COP17) summits.
What We're Reading This Week
- 'Kind of a miracle': Driverless shuttles go solo at Tallinn Airport: Tallinn Airport launches fully autonomous shuttle service, signaling growing trust in driverless technology for public transportation.
- EU’s fight to break China’s raw material dominance isn’t going well: Europe struggles to diversify sources for critical raw materials, leaving its industries vulnerable to continued reliance on Chinese suppliers.
- EU’s new list of critical mineral projects focuses on clean energy metals: EU prioritizes clean energy metals in updated critical mineral project list to boost supply chain resilience and green transition.
- A journey to Ningde, the Chinese city turned world capital of batteries for electric cars: Ningde has rapidly transformed into a global powerhouse driving electric vehicle battery innovation and production.
