EU set to ban sales of new CO2-emitting cars in 2035
By Felicia Nwosu
As governments and brands across the board grapple with climate change and how to promote a sustainable eco-friendly planet, the European Union countries’ ministers have concluded plans to firm up their approval of the law to end sales of new CO2-emitting (Carbon dioxide) cars in 2035. This was after Germany won an exemption for cars running on e-fuels.
In addition, the EU law will require all new cars sold to have zero CO2 emissions from 2035, and 55% lower CO2 emissions from 2030, versus 2021 levels. The vote comes three weeks later than planned after Germany’s transport ministry lodged last-minute opposition to the law, threatening to derail the EU’s main policy for bringing cars in line with its climate change targets.
This has forced the EU autos industry to start revving up its complaints against the proposal, with one CEO calling the new law “plain stupid”, while challenging the authority to find out the most cost-effective way to manage peak flood flows in today’s ESG Spotlight.
The European Commission struck a deal with Germany to resolve the row, by offering assurances that combustion engine cars that only run on e-fuels will be exempted from the 2035 ban.
According to EU officials, most countries are likely to back the law, which would allow it to enter into force. Italy and Poland are set to oppose it with Romania and Bulgaria expected to abstain.
The new proposals have given rise to a form of opposition, stirring up the EU autos industry car-makers. Grudgingly, they argued that the new rules are too costly, rushed and unnecessary.
Imposingly, the European Commission on its part resolved that the rules are needed to cut harmful emissions and prevent a repeat of the Dieselgate scandal.
Meanwhile, European Union countries and lawmakers are planning toward negotiating “Euro 7″ proposals this year on tighter limits for car emissions, for diesel cars, but not petrol, for heavy-duty trucks and buses, including nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide.
The Commission’s proposal widens real-driving emissions (RDE) testing and adds continuous testing of emissions via an on-board monitoring system. Euro 7 would take effect in mid-2025 for cars and in mid-2027 for trucks and buses. The rules would also cover tyre and brake emissions.
Executives including Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares say the rules are “useless” while carmakers invest tens of billions of euros in electric vehicles (EVs) and start phasing out fossil-fuel cars. Iveco CEO Gerrit Marx called the proposals “plain stupid”.
Mattias Johansson, Volvo Cars’ head of governmental affairs, maintained that the 2025 deadline left “practically no reasonable lead time” to make engine changes and lacked details on testing procedures. Volvo has committed to being fully electric by 2030.
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