Contexte

Bulgarian delegates call for a more “realistic and gradual” EU automotive transition

Written by Contexte
13 March 2026

Bulgaria states that it supports the European Union’s climate objectives while advocating for a gradual implementation of policies in order to preserve industrial competitiveness, employment and consumers’ purchasing power. The press statement issued after the COREPER meeting also highlights Sofia’s willingness to continue the dialogue with the Commission and other Member States to ensure that the proposals take national realities into account.

Before the parliamentary recess, on 22 February 2026, the media outlet Contexte met with Benedetta Schiaffino Lagorio and Luka Nedeljkovic, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Bulgaria to the European Union, to discuss Bulgaria’s position on the European Commission’s automotive package, including the proposals on CO₂ standards and clean corporate vehicles.

Coordination among several Member States

Bulgaria is coordinating with several Central and Eastern European countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania. These states share similar concerns about the impact of the European Commission’s proposals on the competitiveness of their automotive industry and on the potential social consequences for workers in the sector.

They have sent a joint letter to the European Commission to express these concerns, while reaffirming their support for the European Union’s climate neutrality objective. Their position is to advocate for a transition they consider more realistic and pragmatic.

In a press statement released following the COREPER (Mobility & Transport) discussions on 22 February 2026, Bulgaria also welcomed the clarifications provided by the Commission on the Clean Corporate Vehicles proposal and its openness to Member States’ suggestions. Sofia stressed that the need to take national realities into account—an issue raised by many countries during the discussions—appears to have been acknowledged.

A climate transition to be implemented progressively

Bulgarian representatives acknowledge the need to transform the automotive industry but stress that the transition should be gradual in order to avoid economic shocks. They argue that additional flexibility and more time may be necessary to allow industries and markets to adapt.

In their view, reaching an agreement on the proposal concerning CO₂ emissions remains preferable to having no agreement at all, even if some adjustments would still be needed.

Reservations about the proposal on corporate vehicles

The proposal on corporate vehicles is considered more problematic. Bulgaria is calling in particular for the “Made in the EU” criterion to take the entire value chain into account, so that the many small and medium-sized enterprises producing automotive components can be included.

The authorities also request gradual implementation periods, as well as targeted derogations for regions where charging infrastructure remains insufficient.

Particular attention to purchasing power and infrastructure

Bulgarian representatives stress that the country’s automotive market relies heavily on second-hand vehicles. They therefore want to avoid an increase in vehicle prices for consumers, especially in a context that remains sensitive following Bulgaria’s entry into the euro area in January 2026.