Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Environment/Emissions
June 09, 2022 05:44 AM

Industry groups express concern after EU lawmakers back 2035 zero-emissions target

Industry groups said a ban on combustion engines after 2035 would cost jobs and drive up prices for consumers.

Peter Sigal
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Sign prohibiting emissions

    PARIS -- The auto industry’s main lobbying group, ACEA, said it was "concerned" that the European Parliament had rejected efforts to weaken a 100 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars from 2035, essentially outlawing sales of internal-combustion engines in the bloc after that date.

    "Given that the transformation of the sector is dependent on many external factors which are not fully in its hands, ACEA is concerned that MEPs voted to set in stone a minus 100 percent CO2 target for 2035," the group said in a statement on Thursday, following Wednesday night’s vote by the parliament.

    ACEA expressed general support for the target, however, and called for a halfway progress report to determine post-2030 targets

    "Such a review will first of all have to evaluate whether the deployment of charging infrastructure and the availability of raw materials for battery production will be able to match the continued steep ramp-up of battery-electric," Oliver Zipse, ACEA president and CEO of BMW, said in a statement.

    Automotive News Europe Congress: July 14

    Automotive News Europe CongressJoin us in Prague for a comprehensive series of keynote addresses, top-level presentations and panel discussions focused on Managing Disruption While Planning For The Future. Register today to hear from experts from Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai Motor Europe, Toyota Motor Europe, Stellantis Group, Polestar and more!

    Learn more & register
    Criticism in Germany

    Environmental groups welcomed the vote. “The deadline means the last fossil fuel cars will be sold by 2035, giving us a fighting chance of averting runaway climate change," said Alex Keynes, clean vehicles manager at Transport & Environment. "And it gives the certainty the car industry needs to ramp up production of electric vehicles, which will drive down prices for drivers.”

    The plan to eliminate CO2 emissions from vehicles is part of the European Commission’s "Fit for 55" package, which aims to cut emissions by 55 percent in 2030 from 1990 levels. The ultimate goal is carbon neutrality by 2050.

    The measure now goes to the European Council, made up of ministers from the 27 EU countries.

    A note from analyst company Bernstein said the ministers are "largely expected to agree to the 2035 target of zero emissions for new cars."

    Conservative and right-leaning lawmakers had sought to tone down the ban, highlighting concerns over potential job losses in the industry.

    Industry groups including the influential German auto association VDA had also lobbied lawmakers to reject the 2035 target, saying it penalized alternative low-carbon fuels and came too early given a lack of charging infrastructure.

    The suppliers lobbying group CLEPA said in a statement that the 2035 target "discards technology options and puts jobs at risk." 

    German automaker and car owners lobby groups on Thursday criticized the decision.

    VDA President Hildegard Mueller said large parts of Europe did not have the necessary charging infrastructure in place. She also said the ban would increases new-car prices.

    "It is too early for such a target," Mueller said.

    Mueller criticized policymakers for demanding that automakers accelerate their switch to electric cars without themselves creating the framework conditions that would enable a faster shift.

    Reinhard Zirpel, head of Germany's VDIK association for importers, said: "The transformation to alternative drivetrains will fundamentally change everyday mobility in Europe and also make it more expensive for many people."

    He also urged the EU to create the appropriate conditions for electrification, such as purchase incentives and the necessary charging infrastructure.

    The Automobil-Club Verkehr called it "a narrow-minded commitment to battery-electric mobility."

    The ADAC said it will not be possible to achieve the ambitious climate protection targets in transport with electromobility alone.

    Related Article
    EU lawmakers reject weaker combustion engine ban
    EU's CO2 reduction goal is too weak, environment group says
    Support from Volvo

    However, some automakers, including Ford and Volvo, have publicly supported the plan to stop sales of new combustion engine cars in Europe by 2035, while others, including Volkswagen, aim to stop selling combustion engine cars in Europe by that date.

    "The members of the European Parliament have taken a decisive step in the right direction," Volvo CEO Jim Rowan told Automotive New Europe in a statement. "Given the climate crisis we all face, this demonstration of global leadership will help ensure the EU delivers on the goals of the Paris Agreement, which require 100 percent zero tailpipe emission vehicle sales in Europe by 2035." 

    Volvo aims to only sell full-electric vehicles by 2030 and achieve full climate neutrality by 2040.

    The ball is now in the auto industry’s court, Bernstein said in the note to investors. A 2035 ban on internal-combustion sales accelerates the timeline for EV adoption by "five to 10 years," with a corresponding ramp-up in battery production capacity.

    By 2035, the industry will need 1,600 gigawatt-hours of battery capacity to supply Europe, a 10-fold increase from 2022 – and up significantly from Bernstein’s previous estimate of 1,200 GWh.

    Those automakers that have already accelerated their timeline for electrification will have an advantage, Bernstein said, as will premium brands, which can better absorb increased prices for EVs.

    "We would expect OEMs that have exhibited a more-cautious stance on EV adoption to reivisit their plans and consider an acceleration of their electrification strategies," the note said.

    Automobilwoche contributed to this report

    FOCUS ON ELECTRIFICATION NEWSLETTER: A monthly wrap-up of the latest electric vehicle news, including interviews and global EV sales data, delivered to your inbox.
    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Euro 7 pollution plan's winners and losers
    Recommended for You
    Paris pollution
    Euro 7 pollution plan's winners and losers
    Capgemini Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    Sponsored Content: Capgemini Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us