In addition to the goal of only selling zero-emission vehicles by 2035, all automakers must reduce average CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 2021, which is more than the previous target of 37.5%. there. According to the Transport and Environment group, cars and light commercial vehicles currently account for 16% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Europe.
Many people expect clean fuel to extend the life cycle of internal combustion engines, but cars using clean fuel still have emissions. Currently, only pure electric engines and fuel cell vehicles meet zero emissions regulations. However, member countries also have a proposal calling on the European Commission (EC) to allow registration of vehicles using clean fuel after 2035.
Europe is one of the important auto markets, so the above decision will have a global impact. Automakers will have to continue to invest heavily in electric vehicles to accelerate the electrification process. That means there won't be much budget to develop internal combustion engines for other market areas with less stringent emissions regulations.
There are currently a number of companies that have pledged to stop selling internal combustion engine vehicles in Europe by 2035 or even earlier; including Volkswagen, Stellantis, Ford, and Jaguar Land Rover.
However, this ambitious plan also has some downsides. Many opinions are concerned that Europeans will try to drive old cars, which pollute the environment even more, because they cannot afford to buy an electric car.
There are also opinions condemning this plan because it does not completely solve the problem of emissions during the vehicle production process, while the amount of emissions from electric vehicles may be greater than the emissions from combustion engine vehicles. in.
