At the 2025 ACEA annual reception, industry and policy leaders gathered to discuss the critical challenges facing the European automotive sector at a decisive moment in the transition.
Christian Levin, Chair of the ACEA Commercial Vehicles Board and CEO of Scania, emphasised the unique nature of the commercial vehicle industry, stressing that trucks are not simply “big cars” but business investments that must be cost-efficient. He highlighted the urgency of revising CO2 regulations to ensure that the total cost of ownership (TCO) for battery-electric trucks becomes competitive with conventional alternatives. “We need an early revision [of the CO2 Regulation] so that we come together with all the policymakers here in Europe to discuss how we can make the enabling conditions get in place,” Christian Levin stated, calling for swift regulatory action to support fleet operators in making sustainable investments.
Ola Källenius, ACEA President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz, reinforced the industry’s commitment to decarbonisation while balancing innovation, job security, and economic stability. He described the automotive industry as the backbone of the European economy, noting that it has already invested €250 billion in the green transition. While acknowledging market challenges, he expressed confidence in Europe’s ability to lead the global transformation. “Not a single player in the auto industry questions the fact that we’re on the road to zero emissions. It’s only about how do we get there and how do we get there in a successful way,” Källenius remarked, urging to take a pragmatic approach in shaping the regulatory framework.
The evening provided a platform for discussions on infrastructure, supply chains, and customer-driven market forces in the transition to zero-emission mobility. With ongoing talks between industry leaders and EU policymakers, the next few months will be crucial in determining the path forward. As Källenius put it, “we should use this time wisely and really think through this equation, so that we can celebrate in ten years from now and look back at most of the transformation being behind us rather than ahead of us again.”
At the 2025 ACEA annual reception, industry and policy leaders gathered to discuss the critical challenges facing the European automotive sector at a decisive moment in the transition.
