EU lawmakers have backed a ban on new fossil fuel cars from 2035

BRUSSELS – European lawmakers on Wednesday voted in favor of an effective EU ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars since 2035, rejecting attempts to weaken the proposal to accelerate Europe’s transition to electric cars.

The vote supports a key pillar of the European Union’s plans to reduce clean global warming emissions 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 – a goal that requires faster reductions in emissions from industry, energy and transport.

Lawmakers backed a proposal made by the European Commission last year to demand a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from new machines by 2035, which will make it impossible to sell fossil fuel cars in the EU from that date.

Attempts by some lawmakers to reduce the target to 90% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2035 have been rejected.

The law is not final yet. Wednesday’s vote confirms parliament’s position on future negotiations with EU countries on the final law.

The goal is to accelerate Europe’s transition to electric vehicles and encourage carmakers to invest heavily in electrification, through another EU law that requires countries to install millions of car chargers.

“Buying and driving zero-emission cars will be cheaper for consumers,” said Ian Whitema, the parliament’s leading negotiator on the policy.

Automakers including Ford and Volvo publicly supported the EU’s plan to stop the sale of cars with internal combustion engines by 2035, while others, including Volkswagenseek to stop the sale of cars with internal combustion engines in Europe by that date.

But emails reviewed by Reuters show that industry groups, including the German Automobile Association VDA, have lobbied lawmakers to reject the 2035 target, which they say fined for alternative low-carbon fuels and was too early to meet given the uncertain deployment of charging infrastructure. .

“Our position is transparent. Our mission is to develop the best solutions with the participation of all participants,” said a VDA spokesman.

Electric cars and connected hybrid vehicles accounted for 18% of new passenger cars sold in the EU last year, although total car sales fell this year amid a shortage of semiconductors, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Transport produces a quarter of Europe’s emissions, which heat the planet, and greenhouse gases from the sector have increased in recent years, threatening efforts to prevent dangerous levels climate change.