End of the heat engine in 2035: an exception for…

Le European Parliament therefore voted on Wednesday 8 June in favor of a total output of the heat engine at 1^is January 2035. From this date, manufacturers will no longer have the right to sell new cars with internal combustion engines, not even hybrids or plug-in hybrids. Europe’s objective is to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 assuming that a car is used for 15 years. As a result, from 2050, no more thermal cars should be in circulation on our roads.

That said, the adopted text was the subject of fierce debate and intense lobbying on the part of manufacturers, as indicated by the French deputy, Pascal Canfin (Renew). And, obviously, the efforts made would have succeeded since some brands are exempt of this ban. This is the case of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentleyetc.

An extension

This clause d’exemption has been fiercely defended by the Italian deputies (hold, hold…) so much so that theamendment 121 is even baptized Ferrari “. This clause is intended to exempt cars which are built to less than 1,000 copies per year. It is therefore not the whole range, but a few specific models, such as the Maserati MC20, them Bugatti or some Ferrari very confidential.

This amendment 121 also contains a derogation clause for manufacturers who assemble less than 10,000 cars per year. These will benefit from a short one-year extension to switch to a 100% electric range. This therefore concerns high-volume models of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentleybut also Rolls-Royce andAlpine which barely exceed the threshold of 10,000 annual units. For those, the transition will be mandatory from 1^is January 2036.

A right decision?

One can obviously ask the question whether this amendment is fair. Probably not, because it offers ultrariches an exemption from thermal exit when they are the ones who have the means to go to the electric car most easily, by accessing the most efficient models (recharge, autonomyetc.) since for them the price is only a detail.

If this decision can certainly be presented as a way of bringing to life a certain craft or a certain know-how, it indeed raises the question of social equity of the prohibition measure of 2035. Let us not forget indeed that in recent years marques low cost such as Dacia have enabled many people to have access to cars and to travel in decent conditions of safety and comfort. However, it is clear that, despite the Spring, the Dacia and low cost model in general is challenged.

Will there be affordable electric cars tomorrow that are accessible to as many people as possible? It will be difficult, because the current price of a Spring is not so democratic. However, it is expected that with shortages and expensive energy, the electric car prices ultimately does not decline in the next few years, even if production increases. In this context, Members’ step aside with Amendment 121 might very well be the symbol of‘a social and climate injustice growing.