EU Bows to Pressure, Postpones Decision on ICE Vehicle Ban in the face of Mounting Opposition
The ambitious plans of the EU to ban the sales of new ICE vehicles by 2035 have encountered a significant obstacle in the form of robust opposition from the Italian and German governments, who have voiced their vehement objections.
Despite the proposals having previously secured approval from the European Parliament, the European Council was set to hold a final vote on March 7 to decide the fate of the measures. However, this momentous decision has been delayed as the council scrambles to avoid a humiliating defeat for the motion in light of the unexpected resistance.
The crucial vote scheduled for March 7 to determine the future of the EU's ICE vehicle ban proposals has now been delayed to a date that remains shrouded in mystery as the council struggles to attain the necessary qualified majority to approve the measures. This unexpected postponement was announced by a spokesperson for Sweden, the current presidency of the Council of the EU, who confirmed that the motion would be pushed back to a "later council meeting" that will occur "in due time." Such a move is a rarity in the EU's lawmaking process, as efforts to alter or impede established policy are typically not made at such a late stage.
With a strong stance against the proposed legislation, the Italian Government has made it clear that they will oppose the law in the absence of the EU commission's reconsideration of their standpoint and introduction of eco-friendly alternatives.
The Council for Motor Trades and Repairs (CECRA) has confirmed the government's opposition and highlighted that the dialogue surrounding the finality of combustion engines is far from resolved. The Italian Government's vocal stance has added fuel to the fire of a contentious issue, with the postponement of the vote creating further intrigue on the direction of EU policy.
On February 28, in a statement made public, Gilberto Pinchetto Fratin, the Energy Minister of Italy, proclaimed that Italy subscribes to the belief that adopting electric power as the sole means to achieve zero emissions during the transitional period should not be the only option available.
Meanwhile, the German Government has expressed its objection to the suggested measures, asserting that they will not support the proposals unless using synthetic e-fuels that humans artificially produce is also considered a potential solution.
Porsche, the German car manufacturer, has already established an e-Fuel production facility in the South American nation of Chile, hoping that this "almost carbon-neutral" alternative will enable the continued refueling of combustion vehicles in the years ahead and potentially extend the lifespan of traditional petrol-powered cars.
The source of much debate and contention is a series of CO2 emissions performance mandates slated to apply to all new cars and vans sold in Europe's new car market.
The proposed action would necessitate companies achieve an absolute and unambiguous 100% reduction in CO2 emissions that emanate from the new vehicles they produce - thereby effectively outlawing the sales of new internal combustion engines (ICEs) by the year 2035.
Just last month, the highly-regarded Car Dealer publication disclosed that certain car manufacturers who happen to record fewer than one thousand vehicle registrations on an annual basis would be granted exemption from the ban, as mentioned earlier. This newfound exemption will facilitate the likes of Morgan, Caterham, and BAIC to sustain their ability to export their range of vehicles to various European markets.
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Source and Image: Car Dealer Magazine