EU climate plan. 27 confirms the completion of heat engines in 2035

On Wednesday, the 27 EU member states approved the Commission’s plan to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars in Europe to zero by 2035, ie the actual cessation of sales of combustion engines in favor of 100% electric cars. This measure proposed by the European executive in July 2021 has yet to be discussed with the members of the European Parliament.

This will mean a de facto cessation of sales of petrol, diesel and light commercial vehicles, as well as hybrids (petrol-electric) in the European Union from 2035. This should contribute to the continent’s climate goals, in particular carbon neutralization by 2050.

At the request of several countries, including Germany and Italy, however, the Twenty-seven agreed to consider possible future green light for alternative technologies, such as synthetic fuel (electronic fuel) or hybrid engines, which can be recharged if possible. to achieve the goal of complete elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

The European Ministers of the Environment, meeting in Luxembourg, also approved a five-year extension of the CO2 exemption granted to producers.niche“Or those who produce less than 10,000 cars a year by the end of 2035. This point, sometimes called “Ferrari changeespecially luxury brands will benefit.

These measures are now to be negotiated with the members of the European Parliament, who also decided this month on their position on the Commission proposal. «This is a big challenge for our automotive industry“- admitted the Minister of Energy Transition of France Agnes Panier-Runasher, who chaired on Tuesday.

But he felt that “need:In the face of Chinese-American competition, which relies heavily on electric cars, which are considered the future of the industry. These decisions:upstream“They go”allow a planned և accompanying transitionThe minister added.

Insufficient charging infrastructure

The European automotive industry, which is already investing heavily in electrification, is nevertheless afraid of the social impact of a very rapid transition. «The vast majority of automakers have chosen electric carsThis was stated by the Vice-Chairman of the Commission responsible for the Green Treaty Frans Timmermans during a meeting with journalists.

He, however, reminded the openness of the European executive to other technologies. «We are technologically neutral. What we want are zero-emission cars“, He explained. «Electronic fuel does not seem like a realistic solution at the moment, but if the producers can prove the opposite in the future, we will be open.«.

Synthetic fuel technology, which is currently under development, consists of the production of fuel from CO2, which is generated, in particular, as a result of industrial activity, using low-carbon electricity, with a circular economy approach. The automotive industry, like the oil industry, has high hopes for these new fuels, which will extend the use of internal combustion engines, which today are threatened by 100% electric cars.

However, the use of this technology in the car is disputed by environmental NGOs, which consider it “very expensive” and “energy-intensive”. They also condemn engines that emit as much nitrous oxide (NOx) as their fossil fuel equivalents.

The car, which is the main vehicle for Europeans, represents just under 15% of total CO2 emissions in the EU and is one of the main gases responsible for global warming.

In order to respond to producers who are concerned about the insufficient demand of 100% of consumers by electricity, the Commission has proposed a robust development of charging stations. «There should be 60 refueling points along Europe’s major roadsLast year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asked. Manufacturers regularly complain about the inadequacy of these infrastructures, especially in the countries of South-Eastern Europe.