More than 150 European executives of electric vehicle makers have spoken out to support the EU in its ambitious goal of 2035 of zero-emission cars and vans, a direct challenge to traditional car developers and producers themselves, stating that the deadline is not realistic, and the regulations are forcing undue delays in competition in the global transformation of the automobile industry towards the electric field.
EV competitors fight delays of targets
In a press conference by RFI, more than 150 electric car industry players across Europe called on the EU to keep its zero emissions car and van target set in 2035, despite the assertions by traditional car manufacturers that the target was impractical. This letter was dispatched to Brusselson on Monday before the key industry meetings.
Similarly, 150 EV executives, such as Volvo Cars heads and Polestar heads, sent a letter to Brussels warning that it would grant a competitive edge to other global competitors, especially Chinese manufacturers, and would wreck investors’ belief in Europe going green.
The retrogression will only signal that Europe is negotiating its pledges out of acquiescence now, as it would be conveyed that Europe is more approachable through negotiations, Michael Lohscheller, chief executive of Polestar, said in his statement. That would not just injure the climate. It would destroy European competitiveness.
Conventional car manufacturers need to bend
According to France24, just two weeks ago, the officials of the associations of European automobile manufacturers and automotive suppliers wrote to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, saying that a 100 per cent car-emission reduction by 2035 was no longer an option.
This was signed by the Mercedes-Benz CEO, Ola Kaellenius, an important recommendation from one of the giants of the European vehicle industry. Meanwhile, Cesar Ritzl, the CEO of Stellantis, has also appealed to make the transition to electric vehicles more flexible and to encourage the use of hybrid technologies as a transitional measure by the EU.
Under its efforts to combat climate change, the EU demands automakers to gradually reduce the carbon emissions made by new cars sold in the union, otherwise face hefty fines. The European Commission gave in to pleas by the European automakers in March, allowing them three years and not one to achieve the target of lowering carbon emissions.
The majority of manufacturers are on course towards compliance
A report prepared by transport research and campaign group T&E, which was published on Monday, revealed that all car makers in Europe, except Mercedes-Benz, were on the right track to achieve the 2025-2027 targets on emissions. The luxury vehicle manufacturer in Germany would be required to share its emissions with Volvo Cars and Polestar to evade the fines.
Brussels meeting to address industry concerns
Von der Leyen will talk about the future of the automotive industry with industry participants on September 12, as the sector is more threatened by the growing competition from Chinese competitors and US tariffs. The gathering is against the background of mounting stress in the European automotive sector on emission quotas.
EU charging company Fastned chief executive Michiel Langzaal mentioned the clarity that the 2035 target had resulted in, and in investments already made, such as in charging infrastructure and software development. The returns can be generated only in the case we reach this target; otherwise, such investments can do nothing, he said.
The conflict between the riches of EV makers against the conventional car makers depicts inherent differences regarding the timing of switching to electric in Europe. During the period, it is called that EV businesses want to keep the 2035 target due to their competitiveness and investor trust, the conventional manufacturers are interested in more opportunities to meet the demands of the market and technological limitations in the process of changing directions.