European Parliament Members to Ban Gasoline Car Sales by 2035
The European Parliament voted Wednesday to ban the sale of new combustion engine automobiles by 2035, making it one of the world's most robust regulations to phase out gasoline vehicles.
While the bill still needs to be considered and enacted by the Council, the parliamentary vote is seen as the most significant stage in the process. Full approval will result in a drop in hybrid car sales and a speedy transition to electric vehicles.
The measure's approval comes after a slew of other crucial climate legislation was rejected on Wednesday.
A centre-right parliamentary faction has spoken out against a total prohibition by 2035. Instead, some lawmakers proposed a 90% ban, implying that combustion engines might still account for one-tenth of all new automobile sales.
German politician Peter Liese told the media earlier Wednesday that his centre-right EPP party did not favour a complete ban. Combustion vehicles could still be beneficial in the future if low-carbon synthetic fuel technology improves.
He added, "We don't think that politicians should decide if electric vehicles or synthetic fuels are the best choices. I believe that most consumers will buy an electric car if we give them the necessary infrastructure, and that's what we need to do."
He went on to say that synthetic-fuel combustion automobiles may become more competitive in the future than electric ones. According to Liese, they may also be more practical for many developing countries in Africa and Asia that buy European automobiles, especially if those countries are unable to transition to renewable energy economies in the next decades.
In August of last year, the Commission unveiled a strategy to phase out combustion engine cars. The Commission stated that the 27 EU member states would be required to expand vehicle charging capacity to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles.
On important routes, charging stations will be constructed every 60 kilometres (37.3 miles), and the minimum tax rate for gasoline and diesel fuel will be increased.
The automotive industry is extremely important to Europe's economy, accounting for 7% of GDP and supporting 14.6 million jobs in the area. However, transportation is the only sector with increasing greenhouse gas emissions, with road vehicles accounting for 21% of CO2 emissions in 2017.
Last year, the UK, which is no longer a member of the EU, stated that sales of new gasoline and diesel automobiles would be prohibited beginning in 2030, with sales of some new hybrids continuing until 2035.
Liese, the parliament's top negotiator on carbon market reform, urged his colleagues in the committee to try again to develop a proposal that would receive support.
The bloc's main legislation in its umbrella Fit for 55 plan, a roadmap to slash emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 from 1990 levels, is to set more aggressive targets for the scheme, which forces some of the world's biggest polluters to buy carbon credits. The target is one of the most ambitious climate goals ever set by a major economy—the world's third-biggest polluter.
Source: CNN
