The European automobile industry lobby on Wednesday asked the future members of the European institutions, which must be renewed in 2024, to slow down the pace of new regulations in the sector.
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) urges Europe to “go beyond an approach focused on piling on new regulations and instead develop a coherent long-term strategy.”
With the ban on the sale of new cars with combustion engines from 2035, European institutions demand a historic shift from automobiles to electric ones. According to ACEA, European institutions must “carry out long-term planning” and “adopt a more reasonable regulatory pace.”
It is also necessary to accelerate the deployment of electric and hydrogen charging stations, but also to expand purchase bonuses and tax advantages for the purchase of less polluting vehicles, estimates the ACEA.
They request support for the electrical transition
If the majority of manufacturers have committed to selling 100% electric cars before 2035, several brands consider that thermal engines could have a break.
Manufacturers were already shocked at the end of September when EU member countries ruled out further tightening of passenger car exhaust pollution standards, believing it risked curbing investments in electric vehicles.
The ACEA also renewed its call for “technological neutrality” on Thursday. It calls for “viable alternatives for specific fuels/substances,” implying that biofuels and synthetic fuels could play an increasing role.
The manufacturers also call on the institutions to “fairly ensure a level playing field in the market for cars made in Europe.”
The Commission opened an investigation in September into subsidies Chinese manufacturers allegedly received, helping them flood the European market with cheap electric cars.
13 million jobs in Europe
ACEA also calls for manufacturers to be guaranteed “access to critical raw materials” through “exchange agreements with other States”, while electric car batteries are made up of many materials that are rarely mined in Europe, such as lithium or cobalt, and often refined in China.
The automotive industry represents 13 million jobs in Europe and 7% of the Union’s gross domestic product, according to ACEA, which represents Volkswagen, Renault, Toyota, BMW, Hyundai and Ferrari.
While toxic gas emissions from transportation are largely responsible for global warming and air pollution, the electric shift was precipitated by the “dieselgate” scandal that rocked the automotive industry in 2015.
Source: BFM TV
