EU Right-Wing Pushback and French Challenges Stall Road Transport Decarbonization

On December 16, 2025, significant setbacks surfaced in European and French efforts to decarbonize road transport—a sector critical to the economy but increasingly politicized. The European Commission unveiled a revised automotive plan that abandons the earlier goal of transitioning to a fully electric vehicle market by 2035. This move, propelled by the European People's Party (PPE) and supported by France’s conservative Republicans, reflects a prioritization of economic concerns over climate ambitions. François Kalfon, a Socialist eurodeputy, condemned the change as capitulation to lobbyists, with Manon Aubry of La Gauche critiquing the right-wing coalition's preference for competitiveness rather than the climate-related objectives of the EU’s Green Deal.

The revised plan's approval still hinges on the European Parliament and member states, but political realignments have allowed a coalition of right and far-right parties to push agendas favoring economic preservation over environmental measures. This change has strained traditional alliances, exemplified by internal tensions within the CDU.German CDU leader Manfred Weber’s unilateral actions without consultation highlight the fractured political landscape. Greens' Marie Toussaint described the shift as a “dangerous regression,” linking it to broader societal risks including impacts on women’s rights.

At the French national level, road transport's decarbonization remains a "forgotten" priority amid political instability and infrastructure gaps, despite road freight underpinning 75% public economic perceptions. Patrick Cholton, president of Solutrans, emphasized the crucial role of road transport's evolution—spanning diesel, electric, and hydrogen vehicles—while lamenting the insufficient support framework. Although France allocated 130 million euros for electric truck incentives in 2024, the sum is inadequate for the sector’s modernization needs. French transporters, often small family businesses, face financial pressure without steady political backing or adequate charging infrastructure.

Cholton also highlighted contrasting European policies, such as Germany and Spain allowing larger trucks for better CO2 efficiency, compared to France’s ongoing restrictions favoring rail transport. He urged for political stability, clearer regulations, and European cooperation to preserve France’s industrial sovereignty and meet environmental goals. This complex interplay between economic interests and environmental commitments on both European and French stages underscores the multifaceted challenges of decarbonizing road transport.