Industry Unites Against Reversal of Climate Goals
A coalition of industry leaders, including battery manufacturers and electricity power companies, has issued a stern warning to EU lawmakers not to backtrack on the planned ban on petrol cars by 2035. The group, comprising nine organizations, has penned a letter to EU lawmakers urging them to prioritize long-term industrial competitiveness and not compromise on Europe’s climate goals.
Compliance with Climate Targets at Risk
The letter, led by Eurelectric, highlights that abandoning the ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles would delay decarbonization efforts and deter investments in e-mobility. This, in turn, would have a direct impact on public health and the environment. “Any reopening or weakening of these standards would penalize these efforts and divert investors from investing into European e-mobility,” the letter reads.
EPP’s Draft Document Sparks Concern
The industry backlash follows a draft document from the European People’s Party (EPP), the centrist group that will hold significant influence in the upcoming European Parliament cycle. The document proposes revising CO2 reduction rules for new cars and vans to allow for the use of alternative zero-emission fuels beyond 2035. While the EPP leader, Peter Liese, wants to keep climate targets, he is willing to compromise on “improving legislation” to car CO2 emissions limits.
Industry Calls for Action
Ivan-Asen Ivanov, energy policy officer at Eurelectric, views the EPP’s plans as a “dangerous development” for the EU’s clean transport transition and a threat to legislative stability. He urges lawmakers to prioritize long-term industrial competitiveness over short-term gains. The industry coalition is demanding that EU lawmakers prioritize Europe’s climate goals and maintain the momentum towards a low-carbon future.
A Call to Action
The industry’s warning serves as a wake-up call to EU lawmakers not to compromise on the 2035 petrol car ban. As the world grapples with climate change, it is essential that Europe leads by example and commits to its environmental goals. The fate of Europe’s clean transport transition hangs in the balance, and it is up to lawmakers to make the right decision for a sustainable future.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Le News
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