In just a few days, the European Union will confirm the maximum date for the cessation of traditional combustion in Europe. A news that will not be new for manufacturers, who are already preparing for a third decade focused on electric cars. A key year in which not everyone agrees and there are conflicting positions.
Europe is ready to take a big step forward. Next week will officially announce the specific year in which the most traditional combustion will go down in history. And it is that, for a few years, increasingly restrictive rules have been promoted to fight against polluting emissions, making it very difficult to comply with the future Euro 7 in 2026.
There will not be time to launch a Euro 8, but the proposals for this rule that have been shuffled would be so far-fetched that fossil fuels would simply be doomed. Reduce emissions by 50% and 60% more compared to Euro 7 It would already mean that CO2 emissions would be negative, so the 0 gr / km completely rules out any type of hybrids. It is a very clear puja to the manufacturers so that they begin to bet more seriously on electric, hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
2035 is the year of 0 gr / km
Brands have already known for a few months the intention of the European Union. The reason why a large majority have been setting a date for the end of combustion, between 2005 and 2030, and those who thought of reaching the fourth decade with sophisticated hybrids – such as Volkswagen – have been forced to change their strategy. And it is necessary to consider that the production of battery electric cars, and plug-in hybrids, has a market share of more than 70% in the world, and in Europe it is not very far, touching 50%.
Although there is no other option for brands, it is true that there are opposing positions between them. They all agree that customers are their source of income, as Hildegard Müller, the President of the Automotive Industry Association (VDA), pointed out in a statement calling on the European Union to “establish the limit values of the fleet after careful consideration including all aspects, including economic and social effects. ‘ In German lands, more than 80% of Germans need a car every day, and 70% do not agree with the current state of the charging network.
German manufacturers warn of the lack of electricity charging infrastructure in Germany
The big three German manufacturers have differing opinions on the EU proposal. Audi, which will launch electric models from 2026, estimates that combustion will remain available until 2033. BMW, present in 140 markets, will not transform into an electric brand until the next decade, warning that “If a manufacturer no longer has a range of combustion engines, then half of the market volume will be lost and the company will go to the short”.
Öla Källenius, Daimler boss, has followed the same line. The Swede noted in a recent interview in the German newspaper “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” that “We will be ready by 2030 to be able to cover all market segments from the A-Class to the S-Class with electric vehicles. However, I think there will be cars with motors. combustion until markets and charging infrastructure allow for a complete change. ‘