Automakers, Climate Groups Unite to Criticize EU’s EV Plan

The European Union’s proposal to help Europe’s ailing auto industry by softening strict emissions rules was intended to help struggling carmakers. Yet neither the industry nor climate campaigners are celebrating.

The proposals, which include dropping a pending ban on sales of vehicles with combustion engines, still leave carmakers and suppliers exposed to factors they say they can’t control. These include using green steel and renewable fuels to compensate for continued sales of limited numbers of fuel-burning cars.

Environmental groups on the other hand see loopholes that’ll weaken Europe’s climate strategy, slowing the uptake of EVs that has gained momentum ...