Even as electric vehicles have failed to meet expected levels of growth in Europe, the European Union has no plans to soften its zero-emissions mandate that seeks to ban the sale of new ICE models by 2035 (with the exception of certain hybrids), as Ford Authority previously reported. Ford CEO Jim Farley has long seemed unbothered by such mandates, pointing out that consumers will ultimately dictate the pace of EV adoption, regardless of mandates. In the meantime, more than one Ford backed lobby group has spoken out about these emissions targets, and now, we have another to add to that list.
That group is the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), which recently wrote a letter along with the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) to the European Union noting that both are “frustrated by the lack of a holistic and pragmatic policy plan for the automotive industry’s transformation. The EU currently regulates manufacturers on the supply of new vehicles yet fails to provide the conditions to enable the transition. Europe faces near-total dependency on Asia for the battery value chain, an uneven distribution of charging infrastructure, higher manufacturing costs—including electricity prices—and burdening tariffs from key trade partners.”
The letter goes on to point out that “the battery-electric vehicle market share is still far from where it needs to be,” adding that “much more ambitious, long-term, and consistent demand-side incentives are needed—including lower energy costs for charging, purchase subsidies, tax reductions, and favorable access to urban space. Multiple drivetrain technologies, too, accelerate market acceptance and achieve decarbonization targets in real-world conditions.” Ultimately, the groups say that the EU’s current emissions targets are “simply no longer feasible.”
This is a bit of a turnaround after the ACEA previously stated that it wouldn’t be contesting the EU’s emissions rules back in February 2024, though continued slow adoption likely prompted it to shift gears in that regard. However, it isn’t alone in that respect, as the U.S.-based Ford backed lobby group Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) recently spoke out about similar bans, too.
Low-interest financing on the heavy-duty pickup truck.
They could claim the credit before taking delivery.
Which could even mimic a home's lighting.
Tariffs have resulted in investments in U.S.-based production.
Its application from 2022 is still under review.
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Ford will have to step up their EV activity or be dominated by China in Europe. Changing the rules so that you profit when others don't have that need just indicates that you're in trouble.