The EU plans to ban the sale of cars with diesel and gasoline engines from 2035. This is provided by the program to combat climate change until 2050, called Fit for 55, which the European Commission presented on July 15, Deutsche Welle reports.
These measures are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in all segments of the European economy, including electricity, the automotive and housing sectors, shipping, aviation, and agriculture. In 2030, emissions should be reduced by 55% compared to 1990 levels, and by 2050 they should be reduced to zero.
One of the critical points of the reform is the introduction of a cross-border carbon regulation (TUR) mechanism, which provides for customs duties on goods imported into the EU depending on their carbon footprint. Thus, Brussels hopes to protect its producers. The tightening of climate regulation in the EU increases their costs and worsens their competitive position compared to producers from less stringent countries.
Another critical point of the EC’s climate program is the expansion of the current system of CO2 emissions trading (ETS) by including new sectors of the economy, which should accelerate the pace of decarbonization. For example, Brussels wants to introduce emission quotas for the automotive industry and heating buildings.
The European Union intends to significantly tighten emission standards for new cars over the next 15 years. By 2030, new cars should reduce emissions by 55% compared to 2021. By 2035, the sale of new cars with diesel and gasoline engines in the European Union should be stopped. In addition, it is proposed to build charging stations for electric vehicles on major motorways in the EU every 60 kilometers and for hydrogen-powered cars every 150 kilometers.
The European Commission’s plan must be approved by all EU countries and the European Parliament. The discussion is expected to take at least a year.
