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: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
    • 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
March 14, 2023 11:30 AM

Volvo CEO criticizes countries seeking to block EU's ICE ban

Moves by Germany, Italy and Eastern European nations to weaken the EU's proposed 2035 engine ban are "a deeply worrying and disappointing development," Volvo's Jim Rowan said.

Douglas A. Bolduc
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Volvo CEO Jim Rowan with the EX90
    REUTERS

    Volvo CEO Jim Rowan said the EU's ICE ban shows the bloc's global climate leadership. He is pictured presenting the EX90 electric SUV on Nov. 9, 2022.

    Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan criticized Germany, Italy and other European countries that are seeking to weaken the EU's plan to ban the sale of new vehicles powered by fossil fuels.

    The European Parliament "confirmed this agreement on 14 February. Member States were supposed to do the same in early March," Rowan posted Tuesday on his personal LinkedIn page. "However, now a few of them are attempting to derail the process. This is a deeply worrying and disappointing development."

    Germany has formed an alliance with Italy and some Eastern European countries opposing the phase-out of combustion engines by 2035 unless cars running on e-fuels are exempted from the ban.

    Rowan said setting a zero-emission target for all new passenger cars and vans showed the EU's "global climate leadership at a critical time for our planet and humanity."

    "Now is not the time for backtracking and blocking of science-based climate targets for our industry," he said in his post. "Now is not the time to put domestic political interests ahead of the health and welfare of our planet and EU citizens, and indeed of future generations. Now is the time for strong, decisive and progressive policy and leadership."

    Volvo wants half of its global car sales to be full-electric models by 2025, an estimated 600,000 units, with the aim of being an electric-only brand by 2030. In addition, the Swedish automaker wants to achieve climate neutrality by 2040.

    "We are aware of our obligation to help protect the planet," Rowan said. "We call on EU governments to show that they are too."

    On Monday, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said e-fuels should be exempted from the combustion engine ban. He said such an exemption would not slow down the automaker's electric ramp-up.

    "If e-fuels are approved for the future, this will not lead to a change of Porsche's strategy," Blume, who is also CEO of VW Group, said during Porsche's annual press conference.

    Porsche's strategy includes having electric cars such as the battery-powered Macan due next year account for more than 80 percent of the brand's sales by 2030.

    This is not the first time Rowan has been at odds with the direction taken by European automaking giants such as VW Group.

    Volvo's EX90 flagship electric SUV is key to the automaker boosting its sales of battery-electric models.

    Rowan decided last year to withdraw Volvo of Europe's main automotive lobbying group, ACEA, because he said the two sides have a "misalignment" on their sustainability strategies.

    The ICE ban, the EU's main tool to speed up Europe's shift to electric vehicles, was put on hold earlier this month after last-minute opposition from Germany and Italy.

    Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka said on Monday that the European Commission may table a legally binding proposal on e-fuels in the coming weeks.

    Reuters contributed to this report

    Related Article
    Porsche, Ferrari push e-fuels to the heart of EU engine debate
    What are e-fuels and can they help make cars CO2 free?
    DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up and get the top news of the day in Europe every business weekday.
    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Audi CEO urges delay on Euro 7 pollution rules
    Recommended for You
    Audi CEO Duesmann
    Audi CEO urges delay on Euro 7 pollution rules
    Lithium ion battery pack close-up
    Scratched EV battery? Your insurer may have to junk the whole car
    Skoda Fabia red during testing 2023
    Skoda says it will need to close plant if Euro 7 proposal isn't revised
    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: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
        • 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