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A consumer-friendly charging ecosystem is a precondition to the mass adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). A growing number of charging stations are popping up in our cities, in parking lots and along EU’s roads. Yet, frustrations are still there when it comes to knowing the price of your charging session in advance, trying to compare offers, juggling between payment methods and facing high prices in certain locations.
Press releases
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Two years after BEUC denounced airlines’ widespread greenwashing to EU authorities, the situation has improved but more still needs to be done. As the Paris Air show is in full swing, BEUC encourages the European Commission and the network of consumer protection authorities (CPC-Network) to keep investigating the airlines’ practices and agree on commitments to make their marketing more trustworthy.
Reports
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In June 2023, BEUC and 23 of its members from 19 countries lodged an EU-wide complaint against 17 European airlines for greenwashing. Based on a new evidence-gathering and two years after we launched our ‘Green (f)lying’ action we found that:
• Some airlines have removed or changed their climate-related marketing claims. This
appears to be a result of the actions launched by consumer groups and other civil society
organisations4 as well as of the exchanges between airlines and consumer protection
authorities.5
• However, greenwashing continues to be widespread, and some changes have been
limited (such as light changes in the wording and/or colour codes). Consumers are overall
still being faced with the false impression that they are choosing a sustainable transport
method rather than a highly polluting one.
• Airlines’ green claims continue to rely on two key arguments: As shown in our 2023
action, claims mainly misrepresent the impact of the flight through reliance on ‘offsetting’
claims and oversell the trader’s future goals and plans.
• ‘Green fares’ are increasingly popular. The airlines which are part of the Lufthansa group
registered a steady rise of such fares, which grant consumers extra miles or loyalty points.6
• Regulatory contexts are getting stricter in Europe and beyond. An increasing number of
authorities and court decisions have clarified when and how climate-related claims can be
admissible.
• Some airlines have removed or changed their climate-related marketing claims. This
appears to be a result of the actions launched by consumer groups and other civil society
organisations4 as well as of the exchanges between airlines and consumer protection
authorities.5
• However, greenwashing continues to be widespread, and some changes have been
limited (such as light changes in the wording and/or colour codes). Consumers are overall
still being faced with the false impression that they are choosing a sustainable transport
method rather than a highly polluting one.
• Airlines’ green claims continue to rely on two key arguments: As shown in our 2023
action, claims mainly misrepresent the impact of the flight through reliance on ‘offsetting’
claims and oversell the trader’s future goals and plans.
• ‘Green fares’ are increasingly popular. The airlines which are part of the Lufthansa group
registered a steady rise of such fares, which grant consumers extra miles or loyalty points.6
• Regulatory contexts are getting stricter in Europe and beyond. An increasing number of
authorities and court decisions have clarified when and how climate-related claims can be
admissible.
Press releases
Today, the European Commission published its action plan for the automotive sector. The plan contains some good initiatives to ease consumer access to electric cars but diluting CO2 targets will make them less affordable and less accessible.
Press releases
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Today, the European Commission buckled in the face of strong industry lobbying to water down 2025 CO2 targets, which will mean that electric cars will be less available and affordable for consumers in the coming years. This is the main conclusion of the result of the Commission’s recent Automotive Strategic Dialogue, of which BEUC is a member.
Press releases
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As negotiations on the reform of passenger rights move full steam ahead, BEUC warns that this legislative train is dangerously off track. The Hungarian EU Presidency plans to reach a General Agreement within a few weeks, but the current proposals fall short of adequately protecting consumers. We urge Member States to make decisive changes to ensure consumers can confidently exercise their rights.
