Robert Besser
30 Mar 2023, 19:54 GMT+10
BRUSSELS, Belgium: The energy ministers of European Union member countries have approved a landmark law to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars by 2035, despite Germany winning an exemption for cars that run on e-fuels.
After weeks of delay caused by last-minute opposition from Germany, Europe's main climate policy for cars can now enter into force.
Under the new law, which aims to drive the rapid decarbonization of new car fleets in Europe, all new cars must have zero CO2 emissions beginning in 2035, as well as 55 percent lower CO2 emissions from 2030, compared with 2021 levels.
The European Commission has pledged, however, to create a legal route for sales of new cars that only run on e-fuels to continue after 2035, after Germany demanded this exemption.
Before Germany won the exemption, the EU policy had been expected to make it impossible to sell combustion engine cars in the bloc from 2035. But the exemption offers a potential lifeline to traditional vehicles, despite e-fuels not yet being produced at scale.
German transport minister Volker Wissing said the agreement would "open up important options for the population towards climate-neutral and affordable mobility."
"The direction of travel is clear: in 2035, new cars and vans must have zero emissions," said EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans, according to Reuters.
As e-fuels are made using captured CO2 emissions, which supporters claim balances out the CO2 released when the fuel is combusted in an engine, e-fuels are considered carbon neutral.
In autumn 2023, the European Commission will decide how sales of e-fuel-only cars can continue after 2035.
Italy, Bulgaria and Romania abstained from the vote, while Poland voted against the law.
Get a daily dose of Philippine Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Philippine Times.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: In one of the largest known Chinese cyber-espionage campaigns against American critical infrastructure, a state-sponsored ...
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, has said the company could consider leaving Europe if it could ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: Reuters has reported that US President Joe Biden's nominee for a federal judge position in Kansas, Jabari Wamble, ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: Jennifer Homendy, head of the US National Transportation Safety Board, has said the US will investigate recent near ...
MIAMI, Florida: Four Chinese citizens living in Florida have sued the state over a new law barring citizens of China ...
OSLO, Norway: Norwegian Defense Minister Bjoern Arild Gram has said that Norway would conduct training programs for Ukrainian pilots in ...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Electric truck manufacturer Nikola Corp said that Nasdaq has delivered a delisting notice for not ...
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota: Reuters reported that after facing a backlash from customers, Target is pulling some products from its Pride Collection ...
LONDON, England: The BBC has reported that Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors is planning to build a multi-billion pound ...
MENLO Park, California: As part of the last stage of a three-series round of staff layoffs, part of a plan ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: On its website, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has said it is probing Abbott Laboratories and other ...
Representative Mike Gallagher, chair of the U.S. House of Representatives committee on China, says that after Beijing banned the sale ...