The new EU fleet plan is bringing about a clear shift in power within the European automotive market, as Germany is expected to meet significantly stricter requirements than many other countries. While the planned quotas officially only apply to large customers, this segment dominates new car sales. At the same time, electric vehicles, fleet quotas, and the phasing out of combustion engines are becoming more closely intertwined, despite growing political resistance. This creates a scenario that is forcing companies to make strategic decisions early on. (bild: 16.12.25)
EU Fleet Plan Puts Germany Under Special Pressure
According to the latest drafts from the European Commission, large customers in Germany will only be permitted to purchase electric vehicles from 2035 onwards. This means the EU Fleet Plan will be implemented more consistently in Germany than in many other member states. Countries like France, Austria, and the Netherlands are also slated to completely phase out internal combustion engines, while southern and eastern European states will have to meet less stringent targets. Despite the end of the mandatory phase-out of internal combustion engines, the EU is intensifying its fight against them.
According to the plan, Spain is only expected to achieve a fleet quota of 66 percent, and Bulgaria even just 32 percent. These differences illustrate that Brussels is relying on national transition paths, even though the single market functions uniformly. This puts the German automotive industry at a disadvantage because production and sales strategies have to be adapted more drastically, while other markets are given more time. The regulatory roadmap therefore acts as an industrial policy accelerator.
Large customers determine the pace and market impact
The focus on large customers is no coincidence, but rather a targeted intervention in market mechanisms. Around 60 percent of all new cars are purchased by fleet operators. These include car rental companies like Sixt and Europcar, as well as corporations and state-owned enterprises, such as Deutsche Post or Siemens. If these players have to change their procurement strategies, the entire vehicle market will change.
The EU Fleet Plan deliberately leverages this. As soon as fleets increasingly rely on electric cars, the supply of used electric vehicles will increase significantly within a few years. This brings electric drives more into focus for private buyers, even though the measure is not formally aimed at them. The phase-out of combustion engines thus gains an indirect, but sustainable, impact.
Interim targets from 2030 onward tighten the fleet quota
The planned interim targets are particularly relevant. As early as 2030, 54 percent of all newly acquired fleet vehicles are to be electrically powered. This fleet quota forces companies to invest quickly, even though charging infrastructure, grid capacity, and electricity prices vary considerably from region to region. At the same time, the financial requirements increase because electric vehicles continue to incur higher acquisition costs for fleet use.
The political process continues in parallel. The EU fleet plan still needs to be approved by the European Parliament, which usually takes around twelve months. Nevertheless, resistance is already forming at the national level. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that he will critically monitor the accelerated timetable because of the economic risks for industry and employment. Whether this change of course will be successful remains to be seen.
Combustion Engine Phase-Out Despite Contrary Signals from Brussels
The contrast with the EU Commission’s recent communication is striking. Just recently, there was talk of a possible reversal of the fleet-wide combustion engine phase-out. However, the now-public regulations show that this reluctance does not apply to all countries. Under Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership, the focus remains clearly on electric vehicles, albeit with unequal burdens across the EU.
This makes the EU fleet plan a central instrument of European transport policy. Germany is to take a leading role, while other countries are given more leeway. This asymmetrical implementation intensifies the debate about competitiveness, security of supply, and the industrial future, even though the climate policy objective remains unchanged.