Call for fixed 2035 end date for sale of petrol and diesel car sales in the EU

EU lawmakers should set an end date for selling new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars in Europe no later than 2035, 27 companies have said in a joint appeal.* The companies, which include Uber, Vattenfall and Volvo Cars, represent a wide range of industries. They say a fixed date will send a clear investment signal for car manufacturers, supply chains and infrastructure providers and will enable all businesses to decarbonise their vehicle fleets.

Cars and vans are responsible for 15% of all Europe’s CO₂ emissions and are the single largest source (26%) of toxic nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions.

Anders Kärrberg, Head of Global Sustainability at Volvo Cars, says: ‘By planning to become a fully electric car company by 2030, Volvo Cars intends to set the pace in the transition to zero emission mobility within our industry. But clear governmental direction and support is also needed to accelerate this transition. In this respect, Volvo Cars is pleased to join this call for the European Commission (EC) to propose an end date on new sales of ICE vehicles within the EU by 2035. Additional measures are also needed to increase EU consumer demand for electrified vehicles, including the rapid development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure.’

Setting a CO₂ target for vehicle manufacturers at zero by 2035 would enshrine the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars – including hybrids – in law, the companies say. The EC is to propose new targets in June as part of its ‘Fit for 55’ package of legislation, which is intended to put the EU on track to cut overall emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Lawmakers should also use European, national and local measures – particularly the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure law – to ramp up deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the bloc, the companies say. They would also welcome support for vehicle makers and their supply chains to invest in new skills training for workers and regional transformation plans to help ensure no one is left behind in the transition to emissions-free transport. Changes to taxation are also needed to help ordinary consumers as well as corporate and urban mobility fleets switch to EVs.

*The companies which have joined the open call as of 26 April 2021 are Allego, Ample, Arrival, Chargepoint, Coca-Cola European Partners, Electreon, Enel X, EV Box, Fastned, Greenway, Iberdrola, IKEA Retail, LeasePlan, Leclanché, Li-cycle, Lime, Metro AG, Novamont, Novo Nordisk, SAP Labs in France, Schneider Electric, Sky, Uber, Vattenfall, Verkor, Volvo Cars, Vulcan Energy. The organisations which have joined the open call are: