No backing down on CO2 targets, says EU’s next transport head
The next European commissioner for sustainable transport drew a hard line in a hearing this week: Apostolos Tzitzikostas backs e-mobility and has no intention of watering down the EU’s plan to ban new registrations for ICE cars in 2035. Problem is, it’s not clear how he aims to make this happen.
At an hours-long hearing Monday before the Transport Committee, live-reported by Politico, the man designated the take the top seat in transport as EU commissioner, Greek politician Apostolos Tzitzikostas, clearly talked the talk. He held firm that he won’t delay next year’s emission targets, regardless of relentless pressures from the automobile industry.
“We have specific rules and goals that we want … and we have to stick to the plan. Otherwise the message the European Union will convey … is not a message of stability and trust,” he was quoted as saying via Politico. “We know very well that the technology is going forward.”
What about Europe’s automobile industry, which employs 14 million people across the bloc and is deep in crisis mode and facing a potential 15 billion euros a year in fines by failing to meet the CO2 targets? Profits are tanking, factories are closing, and European automakers are losing dominance to Chinese competition. Don’t worry, Tzitzikostas said. He will offer a full-scale plan early in his tenure, so we’ll just have to wait and see what this means: more restrictions on Chinese-made vehicles, more government subsidies on electric vehicles?
“We have to make everything in our power to make [the car sector] survive,” Tzitzikostas said. “The automotive industrial plan will give answers to all these skepticisms you might have.”
“There is no reason to be worried.” Hmm, vagueness isn’t very comforting, I’m sure.
However, one solution put on the table was the EU’s support of all-electric company fleets, which account for half of all new registrations across the EU. Doing so would also create a second-hand market in EVs in that most company fleets are purchased by lease, so cars are replaced a few years later. “I can’t say if it would be done by incentives or taxation, but I can’t exclude legislative action.”
From 2035, cars emitting CO2 may not be registered in the EU, which was put in place by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s “Green Deal” during her first term in office. To secure a majority vote for her second term, she called for an exemption for combustion engines that are operated with e-fuels. One thing that was clear from the hearing is that Tzitzikostas too supports that position, and wants e-fuels to be included in legislation up for review in 2026.
The future commissioner also wants to drive investment and solutions into sustainable transport, looking into greener air travel by scaling greener fuels, and making rail travel more attractive by allowing rail travelers to use a single ticket and booking system for cross-border train journeys. Lest the automobile industry panic even further, Tzitzikostas added that he does not want to lose sight of road transport and helping European carmakers make the shift to electric vehicles. But again, no details here.
“Commissioner-designate Tzitzikostas talked a good game about cleaning up Europe’s top polluter, transport,” said William Todts, executive director of T&E in a statement. “He showed commitment to e-mobility, scaling clean fuels for aviation and shipping, and solving rail ticketing. But he said very little about what exactly he would do when appointed Commissioner. His repeated refusal to commit to a much anticipated EU law to electrify corporate car fleets was bewildering.”
Still, it’s early days for Tzitzikostas, whose closing remarks, after more than three hours of grilling by MEPs, got a hearty round of applause. His confirmation vote quickly followed, so the tough job of handling Europe’s green transition will soon be all his.
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Tesla is going to build a new Megafactory in Texas near Houston, according to a tax abatement agreement with Waller County.
At the time of writing, Tesla had yet to comment on the new project, but the Waller County Commissioners Court confirmed the project on Wednesday when they approved a tax abatement deal with the company:
Under the proposed agreement, Tesla will receive tax abatements from Waller County based on property improvements. The deal includes $44 million in facility improvements and $150 million in Tesla manufacturing equipment that Tesla will install. The next phase involves a new $31 million distribution facility with about $2 million in Tesla distribution equipment and building upgrades.
Tesla is going to take over a 1-million-sq-ft building that it already held the lease on at the Empire West industrial park near Katy, Texas – just outside of Houston.
Logistics company DB Schenker occupied the space where it handled parts for Tesla, but it will move out and Tesla plans to build Megapack production lines at the site:
Tesla will operate a new Megapack battery storage manufacturing facility at a 1 million-square-foot building, which was initially constructed with no tenant on speculation that it would attract jobs and economic development.
Tesla has previously referred to plants producing Megapacks as “Megafactory”. The company already operates one in Lathrop, California, and one in Shanghai, China, where it just started production.
Those factories are set up for a production capacity of 40 GWh worth of Megapacks per year.
It’s not clear if Tesla plans for a similar capacity at this new factory, but the county announced project should result in creating 1,500 jobs.
In addition to the existing building, the project will include the construction of an additional “600,000-square-foot distribution facility with some manufacturing capabilities.”
Unlike its automotive business, Tesla’s energy business has been growing at an impressive pace – although prices and margins have come down last year.
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![Is Genesis taking notes from Porsche? New GV60 Magma caught with the Taycan [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Genesis-GV60-Magma-Porsche-2.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Genesis is gearing up to unleash its alter ego with its upcoming Magma lineup, its debut into the world of high-performance luxury vehicles. First up is the Genesis GV60 Magma, due out later this year. As testing wraps up, the GV60 Magma was spotted alongside none other than the Porsche Taycan.
The first dedicated Genesis EV model, the GV60, will kick off another new chapter for the Korean luxury automaker.
Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma last March, claiming it will kick off “the brand’s expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.” The performance EV includes an improved battery, chassis, and motor for added performance.
The Magma model boasts a wider, lower stance for more control. Other key upgrades include a wider front air intake to help cool the batteries, motor, and brakes. It also includes air curtains to maximize efficiency and an added roof fin channels air to the rear wing, generating downward force.
Genesis upgraded the interior to match the GV60 Magma’s luxurious, sporty design. It includes unique sports car-like bucket seats with exclusive “double-diamond stitching” in the Magma orange and titanium coloring.
Genesis GV60 Magma spotted with the Porsche Taycan
With its official debut coming up, the sporty Genesis GV60 Magma was spotted testing alongside a Porsche Taycan and Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 N models.
Despite the camouflage, the video from CarSpyMedia reveals a few new design elements, like the two-line headlight featured on the updated GV60 model.
Genesis will launch the GV60 Magma later this year in its home market, followed by the US, Europe, and others. Production is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2025.
Will the Genesis GV60 Magma keep up with the Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S Plaid? Priced and specs will be revealed closer to launch, but it will sit above the Performance AWD trim, which starts at $69,900 in the US. With up to 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, it can hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
| Horsepower | 0 to 60 mph (seconds) |
Starting Price | |
| Genesis GV60 Performance | 429 | 3.7 | $69,900 |
| Genesis GV60 Magma | ? | ? | ? |
| Porsche Taycan | 402 | 4.5 | $99,400 |
| Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (with Weissach Package) |
1,092 | 2.1 | $230,000 |
| Tesla Model S Plaid | 1,020 | 1.99 | $89,990 |
In comparison, the Porsche Taycan starts at $99,400 with up to 402 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time in 4.5 seconds. The Taycan Turbo GT, equipped with its Weissach package, packs 1,092 hp for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 2.1 seconds, but it costs $230,000.
Tesla’s Model S Plaid starts at $79,990 and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with 1,020 horsepower. Which performance EV are you choosing?
Source: CarSpyMedia
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Tesla gets more than 20% of its parts from Mexico, as well as some from Canada on top of it. So, yes, Tesla will be negatively affected by the tariffs.
However, there’s another one-month delay.
I didn’t think I would have to write this article, but I have seen plenty of “Tesla influencers” claim that Tesla would not be affected by President Trump’s current trade war:
This is false. Tesla gets a significant percentage of its car parts from Mexico and Canada.
NHTSA releases data about the sourcing of parts for all vehicles in the US. Unfortunately, it doesn’t account for the US and Canada together, but it also lists the country of origin for the next largest source of parts.
For Tesla, that’s Mexico for all car models:
| Models | US/Canada | Mexico |
| Model 3 LR AWD/RWD | 75% | 20% |
| Model 3 Performance | 70% | 20% |
| Model Y LR AWD/RWD | 70% | 25% |
| Model Y Performance | 70% | 20% |
| Cybertruck | 65% | 25% |
| Model S | 65% | 20% |
| Model X | 60% | 25% |
This means that Tesla gets more than 20% of its parts from Mexico in addition to what it gets from Canada.
It’s also noteworthy that Tesla’s most popular car, Model Y, gets 25% of its parts from Mexico.
Despite free trade agreements with Canada and Mexico, Trump has implemented 25% blanket tariffs on the countries.
The tariffs were delayed last month, but they went into effect on Tuesday.
However, today, the White House confirmed that they were delayed again just for the automotive industry. Trump reportedly had a call with the big three this morning, Ford, GM, and Chrysler, and he agreed to another one-month delay.
If you needed more proof that Tesla is going to be affected by the tariffs, ever they go into effect, Tesla’s stock was up 2% on the news that Trump agreed to delay the tariffs.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla fans are delusional. They think that because Elon is involved with Trump and he is not fighting the tariffs, it means that it wouldn’t negatively affect Tesla.
That’s a false assumption. Elon is not fighting because he is either completely delusional about Tesla himself or just doesn’t care.
If the tariffs are ever implemented, they will negatively affect Tesla. They will increase the cost of all Tesla vehicles. Some automakers will be more affected, but Tesla will be hurt, too.
The tariffs are a complete mess. They are on one day and delayed the next. I doubt they will ever be in place for any significant length of time.
Their only real impact is making Canadian and Mexican buyers and businesses think twice about doing business with the US. This impact will likely last longer than the tariffs and Trump’s administration.
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