EU to Stick with 2035 Combustion Engine Ban Despite Industry Pressure
Brussels, Belgium – The European Union (EU) remains steadfast in its commitmentto ban the sale of new combustion engine vehicles by 2035, despite mounting pressure from the automotive industry. This comes amidst a wave of concerns fromEuropean car manufacturers struggling with sluggish electric vehicle (EV) sales and fierce competition from Chinese manufacturers.
The EU’s ambitious climate goals, aiming for a55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, have placed transportation decarbonization at the forefront. With the transportation sector accounting for roughly a quarter of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions,and being the only sector with consistently rising emissions, the ban on new combustion engine vehicles is seen as a crucial step towards achieving these targets.
Last year, the EU passed legislation prohibiting the sale of new cars emitting carbon dioxide from 2035 onwards, effectively phasing out combustion engine vehicles. However, this policy has faced significant backlash from European automakers, who are currently grappling with a multitude of challenges.
Almost all major European car manufacturers have issued profit warnings this year, with Volkswagen even considering closing its German factories for the first time in its 87-year history. The industry’s struggles are compounded by the sluggish adoption of EVs and the increasing competition from Chinese car manufacturers, who are rapidly gaining market share.
In response to the industry’s concerns, the EU Commission has pledged to create a legal pathway allowing the sale of new cars powered solely by synthetic fuels, also known as e-fuels, after 2035. This concession, however, has not appeased all critics.
Italy has called for a delay in the implementation of the ban, while France seeks greater flexibility in its execution. Italy’s Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso,warned last month that the 2035 ban on internal combustion engines could trigger a crisis for European car manufacturers.
However, Austria’s Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology, Leonore Gewessler, has countered these arguments, stating that the future of the automotive industry lies in electric vehicles. She emphasizes thatEurope cannot afford to fall behind in this technology, echoing the continent’s past experience of lagging behind in the smartphone industry.
Despite the industry’s pressure and the concessions made by the EU Commission, Frans Timmermans, the EU’s climate action commissioner, has made it clear that the bloc will not back down from itscommitment to phasing out combustion engine vehicles. In a speech prepared for a parliamentary hearing next month, Timmermans will reiterate that the EU cannot and should not back down from its plan to ban the sale of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
The EU’s unwavering stance reflects its commitment to achieving its ambitious climate goals. The transition to a zero-emission transportation sector is crucial for mitigating the effects of climate change, and the EU is determined to lead the way. While the automotive industry faces significant challenges in adapting to this transition, the EU’s commitment to phasing out combustion engine vehicles remains steadfast.
References:
- EU to Stick with 2035 Combustion Engine Ban Despite Industry Pressure, MSN, [Date Accessed].
- EU’s 2035 combustion engine ban faces growing pressure from industry, Reuters, [Date Accessed].
- EU Commission to Allow Synthetic Fuels for Cars After 2035,The Guardian, [Date Accessed].
Note: Please replace [Date Accessed] with the actual date you accessed the news sources.
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