The European Union is currently working on a proposal dubbed “Fit for 55,” which is designed to accelerate the region’s transition to zero emissions. While details have yet to be finalized, the EU proposal reportedly aims to slash automotive emissions by 65 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035 – which would make it impossible for automakers to sell ICE-powered vehicles past that point. However, two countries in the EU have come out in opposition to this plan, according to Automotive News -France and Germany.
“I believe that all car and truck manufacturers are aware that stricter specifications are coming. But they have to be technically feasible,” said German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer. Meanwhile, an anonymous French official revealed that the country’s government supports a 55 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 but wants hybrid vehicles to remain on sale past 2035 to help ease the transition to EVs.
The proposed EU emissions targets effectively double existing goals that call for a 37.5 percent reduction in emissions by 2030. The proposal also calls for renewable energy to increase from 32 percent to 40 percent by 2030 and will require that electric vehicle chargers are installed every 37 miles along major highways. These changes are all intended to help Europe become the first region to achieve net-zero emissions, which it plans to do by the year 2050.
Making such an aggressive amendment could lead to lead to the loss of 100,000 jobs in France, according to the lobby group La Plateforme Automobile, and expanding the country’s existing infrastructure would require an investment of around 17.5 billion euros ($21 billion USD).
Ford of Europe’s current electrification plan puts it on track to meet these more stringent goals, however. Earlier this year, the automaker committed that by mid-2026, 100 percent of its passenger vehicle lineup will be zero-emissions capable, all-electric, or plug-in hybrid, and will convert to all-electric power by 2030, though the automaker also recently admitted that it could reach the latter goal earlier. One potential roadblock to that plan comes from the efforts of some European officials, who want to phase out plug-in hybrid models by 2025.
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Comments
Lol no $h!t. Peugeot and Audi/BMW/Mercedes are going to fend this off for as long as possible. No company wants to spend money if they can lobby their way out of it.
probably smarter to start investing in the switch now than being forced at gunpoint when they havent sufficiently prepared. going to be really sad to see ICE go. Hopefully the supply of replacement parts and gas continues. Im going to keep my cars running as long as i can.
Betcha these EVs would make good coffins…if y’all can keep ’em from catching fire before y’all can get ’em buried.
Do you believe the media will report on the extreme environmental damage that will be caused by the auto industry trying to manufacture 30 million rechargeable battery packs every year. I read that the Mach E has a battery pack that weighs 1,800 lbs. Do the math.
If I remember correctly didn’t the state of California mandate several years ago that 100% of its new vehicles purchases must electric vehicle? I believe the deadline for this mandate came and went, just like these dates will come and go.