The European Union (EU) has endorsed the death certificate for new thermal engine vehicles for 2035. MEPs and Member States reached an agreement on Thursday evening, October 27, on this emblematic regulation for European climate objectives.
“Historic EU climate decision”a tweeted French MEP Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe), President of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament, after a few hours of negotiations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed a “key step” for the EU’s climate ambitions, which will “to stimulate innovation and our industrial and technological leadership”.
The European car industry has said to itself “ready for the challenge” after this “unprecedented decision”while calling on the EU to put in place « conditions » necessary to achieve this objective, in particular the installation of a sufficient network of charging stations for electric vehicles.
The approved text, which is based on a Commission proposal from July 2021, plans to reduce CO2 emissions to zero2 new cars in Europe from 2035. This is equivalent to the de facto cessation of sales of new petrol and diesel cars and light commercial vehicles in the EU on this date, as well as hybrids (petrol-electric), in favor of 100% electric vehicles.
While the car, the first mode of transport for Europeans, represents a little less than 15% of CO2 total in the EU, the new regulations must contribute to achieving the continent’s climate objectives, in particular carbon neutrality by 2050.
Derogation for “niche” manufacturers
This is the first agreement on a text of the European climate package (“Fit for 55”) intended to reduce by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 the greenhouse gas emissions of the EU. It confirms the objective of reducing CO emissions2 for 2030 by 55% for new cars and 50% for new vans, compared to 2021.
“This agreement paves the way for a modern and competitive automotive industry in the EU”welcomed the Czech Minister for Industry, Jozef Sikela, whose country holds the six-monthly Presidency of the Council of the EU, considering that “the deadlines envisaged made the objectives achievable for companies in the sector”.
An exemption is granted to manufacturers “niche” or those producing less than 10,000 vehicles per year, allowing them to be equipped with a heat engine until 2036. This clause, sometimes called the “Ferrari amendment”, will benefit luxury brands in particular.
The negotiators agreed to “launch a process to have in 2025, after precise assessment of financial needs, a dedicated just transition fund for employees in the sector”, also underlined Pascal Canfin. The creation of such a transition fund was called for by Parliament, in particular to remedy the impact on employment.
The automotive industry directly or indirectly employs more than thirteen million Europeans, or 7% of the EU job market, according to the European Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
A Commission proposal is also expected in 2023 to help accelerate the decarbonisation of the vehicle fleets of large companies, added Mr Canfin.
To charging stations every 60 km
Under pressure from several countries, including Germany, the text addresses the possibility of a green light in the future for alternative technologies such as synthetic fuels (e-fuels) or rechargeable hybrid engines if these allow achieve the goal of completely eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans pointed out in June that “the overwhelming majority of car manufacturers have chosen electric cars”, while recalling the openness of the European executive to other technologies. He explained in particular:
“What we want are zero-emission cars. At present, e-fuels do not seem a realistic solution, but if manufacturers can prove otherwise in the future, we will be open. »
To respond to manufacturers concerned about insufficient consumer demand for 100% electric, the Commission recommends strongly developing charging stations, so that they are installed “every 60 kilometers”.
Carlos Tavares, managing director of the Stellantis group, born from the merger of PSA and Fiat-Chrysler, also pointed the finger on Thursday at the cost of electric vehicles. “I don’t see today the middle class capable of buying electric cars at 30,000 euros”he said, during a visit to a commercial vehicle factory in Hordain (northern France). “In a world of rising interest rates, the level of assistance given today for an electric vehicle is not sustainable”he estimated.