This measure is necessary in order to retire all combustion engine cars and vans from the roads by 2050, as the average lifespan for an automobile is around 10 to 15 years.
According to CleanTehnica, Ford and Volvo, who sold around 800.000 vehicles in Europe last year combined, reached out to EU lawmakers in a joint letter today alongside 26 other companies who represent multiple industries.
So far, 15 car brands already pledged that they'll only sell battery-powered vehicles in Europe in the next decade, but letter representatives say it's up to EU lawmakers to push this effort forward by making it a regulation across the bloc.
The letter is addressed to members of the European Parliament and EU governments, supporting the European Commission's proposal which stated that carmakers should be allowed to sell only EVs in Europe starting 2035. This does not include hybrid vehicles.
Stuart Rowley, Chair of Ford Europe, said that “at Ford in Europe, we believe that freedom of movement goes hand-in-hand with caring for our planet and each other. That’s why we are targeting all Ford vehicles to be zero emission by 2035 in line with this call, the COP26 RouteZero initiative and with our Paris Climate commitment."
"To successfully achieve this, EU policymakers must also establish mandatory national targets for a seamless electric charging infrastructure that lives up to the growing demand for electric vehicles”, he added.
Electric vehicles make up for 10% of the cars sold in the EU and they represent a solution for greenhouse gas emissions and for the dangerous effects of air pollution.
Cars and vans account for 15% of all CO2 emissions and they represent the single largest source of nitrogen dioxide pollution, a substance which, according to the European Environment Agency, causes more than 40.000 premature deaths in Europe yearly.
Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars, said that “Volvo Cars plans to become a fully electric car company by 2030 and supports the end of fossil fuel vehicle sales in Europe by 2035. This would not only be in-line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, which require 100% zero tailpipe emission vehicle sales in Europe by 2035, but it’s just the right thing to do."
Tomas Björnsson, CEO InCharge and Vice President E-Mobility, Vattenfall, stated that “we’re happy to be supporting the open call to EU governments and the European Parliament to ensure all new cars and vans in Europe are zero emission from 2035. Our goal is to enable a fossil free society and the electrification of the transport sector is an important element in this transition.”
Above all, fossil-based vehicles account for about a third of oil imports into the continent, and by switching to a green transportation system for the masses not only is Europe going to be more independent energy wise, but it will also save on billions of euros spent for oil every year.
"The window for us to avoid the worst impacts of global warming is rapidly closing. At this critical moment, now is the time for the EU to reaffirm its leadership in climate action”, said Jim Rowan.
MEPs and EU governments have until June to decide on the new regulation, with the law expected to be adopted in autumn.
Any thoughts?