France and Spain support the planned comprehensive ban on ICE engines starting in 2035. In a joint paper, both countries have warned against softening this goal. The EU decision must not be called into question. “The future of the European automotive industry will be electric,” states the paper, which is available to the German Press Agency.
In response to pressure from the car sector, the Commission declared that it will examine the relevant legislation later this year. Paris and Madrid stress that since 2023, billions of euros have been spent on electrifying the European auto industry. This strategic choice needs to be upheld.
France and Spain hope that during the upcoming review, the cap for 2035 and the environmental ambitions for CO2 emissions will be retained, according to the paper. Specifically, the 2035 zero-emission target should not be questioned in any manner by the change.
But Spain and France are also pushing for relaxations. These ought to be closely linked to European production initiatives. For cars with a high European value-added share, so-called super-credits are being suggested.
Additionally, this is meant to reduce CO2 emissions. It was initially unclear if this would permit the sale of new combustion engines after 2035—possibly by accounting for additional emissions saved.
Additionally, both nations oppose giving plug-in hybrid cars any special treatment after 2035. In 2024, the EU Commission proved that their real emissions exceeded those recorded during approval tests by a factor of 3.5.
The German car industry has criticised the paper, “The proposals from France and Spain, however, predominantly lead in the wrong direction,” stated the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). For example, requirements for value creation in the EU for the automotive industry are fundamentally the wrong approach, “because our supply chains are internationally intertwined.” Protectionism carries the risk of counter-reactions and cannot compensate for location disadvantages.
Source: https://europeannewsroom.com/
