Page 12 - EurOil Week 26 2022

EurOil POLICY EurOil

Five countries seek delay for EU

petrol and diesel ban

EU ITALY, Portugal, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Roma- The five countries’ minister said in a paper
nia are seeking to push back by five years EU circulated among EU states calling for the 90%
The EU wants to proposals to slap a ban on selling new petrol and target by 2035 and 100% by 2040. They said
accelerate the roll-out of diesel cars from 2035. light commercial vehicles should meet an 80%
electric vehicles. Brussels aims to require a 100% reduction in CO2 cut by 2035 and 100% by 2040, rather than
CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035, a level the 100% reduction by 2035 proposed by the
which amounts to an effective ban on new car Commission.
sales. “Adequate and tailored transition periods
However, the five claim that consumers in need to be established,” the paper said, citing the
their countries cannot afford to pay costs of a need to expand charging infrastructure, Reuters
full ban in 2035, and have instead called for the reported.
ban to be delayed until 2040, Reuters reported. A Bulgarian official, who did not wish to be
The five countries instead are calling for a named, said climate policies needed to consider
90% cut in CO2 emissions by 2035, before mov- economic and social factors such as the “the
ing to a full 100% target by 2040. significant differences” in purchasing power
These emissions levels are a central part of the between EU countries.
EU’s plans to reduce emissions in the transport Brussels says the 2035 date is crucial because
sector and to accelerate the roll-out of electric the average lifespan of new cars is 15 years – so
vehicles (EVs), all part of the Union’s Fit for 55 a later ban would stop the EU reaching net zero
package and its wider Green Deal policies. emissions by 2050, the global milestone scien-
The EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas tists say would avert disastrous climate change.
(GHG) emissions 55% by 2030, compared to Some EU governments have rallied behind
1990 levels, Reuters reported. the 2035 target, but Germany’s finance minister
Ministers from EU countries plan to agree said this week the EU’s biggest car market would
their position on this emissions issue by end of not support it.
June, before passing legislation on the matter in Ford and Volvo have publicly supported the
the EU parliament. plan, but industry groups, including the Euro-
Parliament voted in favour of the 2035 ban pean Automobile Manufacturers’ Association
earlier in June. However, the five countries’ push- have opposed the 2035 target, citing concerns
back on the matter could complicate the matter including the uncertain roll-out of electric
and now casts some doubt on the 2035 target. chargers. ™

P12 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 26 30•June•2022