The deliberations among the 27 member states’ representatives in the European Council and those of the European Parliament got underway on Thursday, as per Manila Bulletin. The bloc’s transition towards a carbon-free future will be supported by the ban on combustion-engine car sales by 2035.
Pascal Canfin, a French MEP and head of the environment commission of the European Parliament, announced the negotiations result through a Twitter post:
“We just finished negotiations on CO2 standards for cars. Historic decision for climate that definitively confirms the goal of 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035 with intermediate steps in 2025 and 2030.”
As of today, cars contribute roughly 15% of the EU‘s total CO2 emissions, whereas the sector as a whole contributes about 25%.
The EU executive proposed in July 2021 that CO2 emissions from new cars in Europe be eliminated by 2035, which the EU agreed upon in the negotiations.
Ursula von der Leyen, chief of the European Commission, hailed the deal as “a crucial milestone to reach our 2030 climate target.”
The new regulation grants a waiver for “niche” automakers—those who produce less than 10,000 automobiles annually. It is also referred to as the “Ferrari amendment” because it will particularly favor luxury brands. Up until the end of 2035, these vehicles are permitted to have a combustion engine.
BMW says the amendment is far-reaching
The decision was “extremely far-reaching,” according to Oliver Zipse, CEO of BMW and president of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
“Make no mistake, the European automobile industry is up to the challenge of providing these zero-emission cars and vans,” he said.
However, he also insisted that there are still more steps for the industry to reach this goal. It includes having “an abundance of renewable energy, a seamless private and public charging infrastructure network, and access to raw materials.”
Nonetheless, the 2035 ban on all internal combustion engine vehicles was approved by the European Parliament in June.
Reluctance among conservative MEPs and Germany
Regarding several targets, conservative MEPs and Germany had expressed hesitation out of concern for the expensive burden they will place on EU automakers competing against international competitors.
Approximately 12% of new automobiles sold in the European Union today are electric cars. As energy prices and more eco-friendly traffic laws rise, its customers are turning away from CO2-emitting vehicles.
On the other hand, China aims for at least half of all new vehicles to be electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen-powered by 2035.
The race to get carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases out of our atmosphere has begun on a worldwide scale. The ramifications are at an all-time high because human-caused emissions devastate our planet. EU’s initiative may seem “far-reaching.” Still, it would surely help us preserve the earth and avoid further damage.
