The Netherlands is arguing on behalf of a group of nine EU member states for a deadline for phasing out combustion engines for cars. They also want a stronger focus on CO2 reduction and the setting up of infrastructure for emission-free cars.
The hard deadlines for stopping fuel cars have been flying around us lately. The European Union is very absent. It is true that the CO2 emission requirements are becoming increasingly strict, but there is still no firm date on which no new fuel cars may be sold. The UK, for example, already has that date. That must change, say the Netherlands and Denmark on behalf of nine EU member states to the European Commission. Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania and Malta support this call.
According to the countries, it is time for the EU to put clear dots on the horizon, reports Automotive News. Danish climate minister Dan Jørgensen believes it is important that ‘car manufacturers and consumers get a clear signal’. Moreover, European legislation must allow Member States to set their own deadlines for this. In addition, they want the EU to focus more on expanding charging and hydrogen infrastructure.
Some car manufacturers do not wait and have already set hard deadlines for stopping fuel cars. For example, Jaguar will stop in 2025 and Ford in Europe and Volvo worldwide will follow in 2030. That is also the year that no more new cars with a purely combustion engine can be sold in the United Kingdom. Five years later, the plug-ins also have to be discontinued and only pure electric cars are allowed to be sold.