The European Union has returned to discussing rules that would have completely banned the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035. Amid an economic downturn, a slow transition to electric vehicles, and pressure from the auto industry, Brussels is preparing to amend the legislation, The Verge reports.
European automakers insist that the previously set deadline no longer reflects the pace of infrastructure development. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius said that the current environment requires a “more flexible strategy” that will preserve jobs, competitiveness and provide manufacturers with the resources to finance the transition to electric vehicles.
In October, EU leaders called on the European Commission to review the requirements and propose easing the rules by the end of the year. Possible changes include allowing the sale of hybrids and cars that run on synthetic or biofuels after 2035. Some in the industry are calling for such models to be treated as zero-emission, something the EU has previously refused to do.
NGOs warn that easing regulations could slow the development of electric vehicles and strengthen the position of Chinese manufacturers. Transport & Environment said that such an approach “erodes the basis of European climate legislation” and could harm the competitiveness of the European market.
National governments also take different positions. Germany, where the automotive sector provides about 800,000 jobs, is actively advocating for a longer transition phase. France supports flexible formulations but calls for not abandoning the overall course for electrification, since it was the strict regulations that stimulated the construction of new gigafactories and investment in batteries.
However, some manufacturers believe that the changes under discussion are not enough. BMW criticizes the EU approach, which focuses only on tailpipe emissions, and not on the full carbon footprint of production. Green organizations emphasize that plug-in hybrids in reality consume more fuel than claimed and are not a bridge to full electrification.
Companies that have already committed to electric vehicles, such as Polestar and Lucid, warn that the revised rules could send the wrong signal to the market and slow down the transition, saying Europe risks falling behind global competition if it abandons strict guidelines.
The European Commission is due to present specific proposals in the near future. The decision will determine the pace of the transition to electric vehicles, investments in infrastructure, and the EU’s position in competition with Chinese and American manufacturers.
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