by Martin Myall •
The European Union reached an accord yesterday to put an end to the sale of cars and vans with internal combustion engines, both gasoline and diesel from 2035.
Within the Fit for 55 package, the Commission proposed to revise rules on CO2 emissions for cars and vans. The proposal introduces increased EU-wide reduction targets for 2030 and sets a new target of 100% for 2035.
This means in practice that from 2035 it will no longer be possible to place cars or vans with an internal combustion engine on the market in the EU. The “55” comes from the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 55% by 2030.
The voting in the Euro Chamber gave 340 votes in favour and 279 against (amongst whom were the PP, Vox and PNV; i.e. the Spanish, right-wing parties) and 21 abstentions.
Transport in general produces about a third of the green-house gases in the EU; hence the emphasis on road-transport, internal combustion engines. However the aim is to not only phase out gasoline/diesel engines but also hybrid so that the only ones on EU roads will eventually be powered by carbon-dioxide-neutral fuels.
Brussels will monitor progress in this sector and in 2026 will carry out an evaluation on how things are going.
Meanwhile, in Spain, the automobile manufacturer and dealerships associations (Anfac, Faconauto and Ganvam) have asked that the tightening of environmental demands be accompanied by grants that will enable manufacturers to adapt to the new norms.
(News: Spain)