Brussels, 29 January — Yesterday, a delegation of 15 representatives from nine Fleet Cards Europe (FCE) member companies visited the European Parliament for a timely exchange with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on the future of road transport decarbonisation. The discussion took place as preparations for negotiations on the Automotive Package are getting underway.

During the meeting, Sven Mehringer, FCE Vice-President, presented the unique perspective of the fleet card industry, underlining its essential role in supporting fleet decarbonisation and enabling a pragmatic and efficient transition. Fleet card companies are closely connected to fleet operators and process, on average, 44 transactions per second, giving them unparalleled insight into real-world operational challenges, customer behaviour and energy use across Europe. This positions the sector as a key bridge between ambitious EU policy objectives and operational reality on the ground.

While the sector remains firmly committed to decarbonisation and the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs), Matthias Maedge, Chair of the FCE Sustainability Working Group, highlighted that tangible progress is increasingly hindered by a lack of enabling conditions. He stressed the need to stress-test the coherence, realism and internal consistency of the EU regulatory framework.

Although the EU has set ambitious targets for road transport decarbonisation, fleet operators today face a fragmented policy landscape. Vehicle emission standards are advancing faster than the rollout of supporting infrastructure; electrification is prioritised despite unresolved grid capacity and cost constraints for heavy-duty vehicles; and carbon-neutral fuels, while recognised in principle, remain marginalised in practice. In addition, carbon taxation lacks coherence.

Fleet card companies also showcased how they actively contribute to a more efficient and sustainable road transport system. Through e-mobility solutions, simplified access to alternative energy sources, data-driven insights and sustainability reporting tools, the sector plays a critical role in helping fleet operators navigate the transition and remains deeply committed to its success.

FCE warmly thanks Ondřej Krutílek for hosting the event, as well as Alexandr Vondra, Miriam Lexmann and Kosma Złotowski for engaging with our members. As the Automotive Package takes shape, FCE looks forward to continued collaboration with policymakers to ensure EU regulations are not only ambitious, but also coherent, consistent and firmly grounded in the realities of the road.