German media: EU plans to relax 2035 internal combustion engine ban in response to sluggish growth in the automotive industry
Facing pressure from governments and car manufacturers around the world, EU officials proposed on Tuesday to relax the original ban on selling internal combustion engine vehicles set to take effect in 2035. The new proposal adjusts the original "zero-emission" standard to a 90% reduction in emissions, aiming to leave room for internal combustion engine technology and help the automotive industry flexibly cope with climate goals.
On December 16th, EU officials took action to relax the regulation banning the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles in 2035. This move is a response to calls from governments and car manufacturers, who believe the industry needs more flexibility to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and achieve EU climate targets.
The new proposal by the European Commission will amend the 2023 legislation. The original legislation required new cars to have zero average emissions (a 100% reduction compared to 2021 levels), while the new proposal sets the emission reduction target at 90%. In practice, this means that although most cars will still be purely battery-powered, space will also be left for some internal combustion engine models.
According to the proposal, manufacturers must offset the additional emissions generated by their cars by using "European steel" produced with low-carbon processes, as well as climate-neutral "e-fuels" or biofuels made from renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide.
EU officials stated that adjusting the cap will not affect the EU's process of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This goal requires that carbon dioxide emissions do not exceed the limit that can be absorbed by forests, oceans, or underground storage methods at that time.
Leaving space for plug-in hybrids to ease infrastructure pressure
A more lenient restriction will allow car manufacturers to continue selling certain plug-in hybrid vehicles. These vehicles have both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine and can charge the battery using the internal combustion engine when charging stations are not available. Along with this new restriction proposal, a series of measures to promote the production of batteries in Europe and the development of small electric vehicles are also included.
This move still needs approval from member state governments and the European Parliament. Previously, large automotive countries such as Germany and Italy, as well as major manufacturers, called for it, fearing that an aggressive ban would severely impact the automotive industry, an important employment sector.
Industry representatives pointed out that the current pace of charging infrastructure construction is not sufficient to convince consumers to switch from gasoline and diesel cars to electric vehicles. Additionally, factors such as Germany's cancellation of purchase subsidies and high prices of electric vehicles in Europe have slowed demand. At the same time, the industry is facing dual pressures from cheap Chinese cars flooding the market and the market size not yet recovering to pre-pandemic levels.
The environmental lobbying group "Transport & Environment" criticized the relaxation of the ban, stating that it sends a "confusing signal" to manufacturers and consumers and diverts electrification investments at a critical time when European manufacturers need to catch up with Chinese electric vehicle companies.
Source: DW
Original: toutiao.com/article/1851864519149579/
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