EU electric carmakers urge Brussels to uphold 2035 zero-emission goal

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🗞️ Driving the news: More than 150 executives from Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) sector — including leaders from Volvo Cars, Polestar, and charging firm Fastned — have urged the EU to uphold its 2035 zero-emission target for cars and vans
• In an open letter, they warned that any delay would stall Europe’s EV market, weaken investor confidence, and give a competitive edge to Chinese and U.S. rivals

🔭 The context: The EU’s climate policy mandates a 100% reduction in CO₂ emissions from new cars and vans by 2035, effectively ending sales of combustion engine vehicles
• While most European carmakers remain on track to meet interim 2025–2027 targets, Mercedes-Benz recently joined an earlier industry appeal arguing the deadline is “no longer feasible”
• The debate comes amid escalating competition from Chinese EV makers, now facing EU tariffs of up to 35%, and trade tensions with the U.S.

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Transport accounts for roughly a quarter of EU emissions, making the automotive transition central to Europe’s climate strategy
• Diluting the 2035 target could undermine the EU’s Green Deal goals and slow the decarbonization of mobility. It could also derail billions in EV-related investments, from charging infrastructure to battery supply chains, jeopardizing Europe’s ability to compete globally in clean transport.

⏭️ What's next: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet industry leaders on September 12 to discuss the sector’s future
• Policymakers face pressure to balance competitiveness concerns with climate commitments
• Any weakening of the 2035 ban risks sending a signal of policy backtracking, which could disrupt investment planning across Europe’s EV ecosystem

💬 One quote: “Weakening targets now would send a signal that Europe can be talked out of its own commitments. That would not only harm the climate. It would harm Europe’s ability to compete,” said Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller

📈 One stat: Road transport is responsible for nearly 25% of EU greenhouse gas emissions, making it a critical sector for achieving climate neutrality by 2050

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