Despite fierce opposition from the European Right, the majority of MEPs approved Wednesday's text on regulation of CO2 emissions from vehicles and cars, with 339 votes (24 against, 24 abstentions).
Obiective: To eliminate automobile pollution, ban all internal combustion vehicles by 2035.
This vote establishes the position of MEPs prior to their negotiations with Member States to reach a compromise.
The Wednesday evening text passed by the Parliament states that it will be impossible to obtain a new vehicle or van in light thermal vehicles (cars or vans) within the European Union after 2035.
We set a clear direction for the industry by supporting the demise of combustion engines in 2035. This is a significant victory that is consistent with our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Pascal Canfin is President of the Environment Committee at Parliament
He recalls that a car's lifespan is approximately 15 years. This is why he chose 2035. Without convincing, the Greens tried to move the ban forward to 2030.
The second-hand market and the circulation of "thermals" are not covered in the text. It will be necessary to consider the dry up of the new market, the development of "low emission areas" (ZFE), and other factors.
The industrial challenge is huge: the automotive industry is Europe's leading industry. Even though all manufacturers anticipated the shift, it will still take them 13 years to make the transition. On Thursday, some demanded a review clause and insisted on the installation of charging stations. However, several (not the least: Renault, Volvo, Ford Hyundai, Jaguar, Stellantis, Ford, Volvo, Ford and Ford) demanded a "review clause". Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat have all decided to stop producing internal combustion engines. "By 2030" or sometimes earlier.
The introduction of electromobility can help to preserve the environment and job opportunities in this sector.
Michael Bloss, German MEP (Greens)
Electric vehicles will be the last option for reducing the cost per unit, which is still 45% more than the thermal equivalent. In France, 10% of all cars sold in 2021 were 100% electric.
No. No.
The amendment for synthetic fuels and other biofuels was not adopted by the right in the European Parliament.
Strasbourg's text is even more ambitious than the French Mobility law of 2019, which mandated the cessation of sales of carbon-based fossil fuel cars by 2040. It distinguishes "carbon fossil" energies but does not prohibit the use of thermal vehicles on non-fossil fuels.
There's no need to worry. This car is equipped with an electric motor and a classic heat engine. It produces less pollution. These cars have been in high demand since 1997, when the Toyota Prius was launched in Japan.
They are still thermal vehicles. They will also be extinct from concessions by 2035.
MEP Agnes Evren (EPP), slammed a text "will stop the marketing of high performance hybrid vehicles or vehicles using Biofuels", whose production could prove to be more affordable [...] than electric cars.
No. No. Importation of batteries made in China is a major source of pollution. The carbon footprint can be reduced by moving production to Europe.
The electric car is cleaner after 20 to 40kmph in maximum traffic depending on which thermal vehicle it is compared to. The only pollutants it emits are particles from tires and braking.
Although the production of electric cars is still in its infancy, technological advancements and a higher production volume should make them more profitable.
The question of where the electricity comes from remains. It is largely decarbonized in Europe and a fortiori France. However, the majority of it comes primarily from renewable or nuclear energy.
Electricity is still made from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, etc.) wherever it's produced. An electric vehicle can continue to pollute while it is driving. This is one of many challenges when going electric. You need to generate enough clean electricity for the entire fleet, while decreasing your dependence on hydrocarbons.
