The 27 Member States of the EU approved last Wednesday the European Commission’s plan to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars in Europe to zero from 2035, i.e. the de facto cessation of sales of combustion engines in favor of 100% electric vehicles.
This measure, proposed by the European executive in July 2021, remains to be discussed with MEPs. It would mean the de facto cessation of sales of petrol and diesel cars and light commercial vehicles in the European Union from 2035, as well as hybrids (petrol-electric). This should contribute to achieving the continent’s climate objectives, in particular carbon neutrality by 2050. At the request of a few countries, including Germany and Italy, the Twenty-Seven have nevertheless agreed to consider a possible green light in the future for alternative technologies, such as synthetic fuels (e-fuels) or plug-in hybrid engines if these make it possible to achieve the objective of completely eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
European environment ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, also approved a five-year extension of the exemption from CO2 obligations granted to “niche” manufacturers or those producing less than 10,000 vehicles per year, and this until the end of 2035. This clause, sometimes called the “Ferrari amendment”, will benefit luxury brands in particular. These measures will therefore now have to be negotiated with MEPs, who also determined their position on the European Commission’s proposal this month.
The car, the main mode of transport for Europeans, represents a little less than 15% of total CO2 emissions in the EU, one of the main gases responsible for global warming.
Source: AFP
The 27 Member States of the EU approved last Wednesday the European Commission’s plan to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars in Europe to zero from 2035, i.e. the de facto cessation of sales of combustion engines in favor of 100% electric vehicles. This measure, proposed by the European executive in July 2021, remains to be discussed with…
