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EU Countries Back Softer Car CO2 Emissions Targets

Motorists drive past traffic lights that stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP)
Motorists drive past traffic lights that stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP)
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EU Countries Back Softer Car CO2 Emissions Targets

Motorists drive past traffic lights that stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP)
Motorists drive past traffic lights that stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP)

European Union government have agreed to softer EU CO2 emissions targets for cars and vans that will allow automakers more time to comply and should reduce potential fines.

European car manufacturers warned existing targets to be met this year could result in fines of up to 15 billion euros ($17.0 billion), given the goals rely on selling more electric vehicles, a segment where they lag Chinese and US rivals.

Following heavy lobbying, the European Commission proposed allowing automakers to meet the targets based on their average emissions over the period 2025-2027, rather than just this year.

The proposed change requires approval from the European Parliament and the Council, the grouping of EU members.

The parliament is expected to approve the adjustment in a vote on Thursday after agreeing to fast-track the process.

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US Scientists Forecast Above-normal 2025 Hurricane Season

FILE PHOTO: Hurricane Ernesto moves on in the Atlantic Ocean after making landfall on Bermuda in a composite satellite image August 17, 2024. NOAA/Handout via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Hurricane Ernesto moves on in the Atlantic Ocean after making landfall on Bermuda in a composite satellite image August 17, 2024. NOAA/Handout via REUTERS
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US Scientists Forecast Above-normal 2025 Hurricane Season

FILE PHOTO: Hurricane Ernesto moves on in the Atlantic Ocean after making landfall on Bermuda in a composite satellite image August 17, 2024. NOAA/Handout via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Hurricane Ernesto moves on in the Atlantic Ocean after making landfall on Bermuda in a composite satellite image August 17, 2024. NOAA/Handout via REUTERS

US government scientists said on Thursday they expect an above-normal hurricane season in 2025, producing three to five major hurricanes with sustained winds of at least 111 miles (179 km) per hour.

The Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1, is forecast to produce 13 to 19 named tropical storms with winds of at least 39 mph, according to the US National Weather Service. Of those storms, six to 10 are forecast to become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher.

"Warmer sea surface temperatures are probably the major contributor to this," said Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service.

Academic and private weather forecasters have issued similar outlooks for the hurricane season, which continues through November 30.

Between 1991 and 2020, there have been an average of 14.4 named tropical storms annually in the Atlantic, including on average 3.2 major hurricanes among 7.2 hurricanes, Reuters reported.

Colorado State University meteorologists said in early April the 2025 hurricane season across the Atlantic basin will be above average, with 17 named tropical storms, including nine hurricanes, of which four are predicted to be major.

AccuWeather issued its 2025 hurricane season forecast in late March. The private weather service calls for between three and five major hurricanes out of seven to 10 hurricanes from 13 to 18 named tropical storms.

The 2024 hurricane season was one of the costliest on record. There were five major hurricanes, out of a total of 11 hurricanes from 18 named storms.