EU’s 2035 ban on new thermal cars won’t spell the end of biofuels, industry says

(EurActiv, 22 Jun 2022) Critics say position adopted by the European Parliament for zero tailpipe emissions by 2035 is effectively a mandate for electric vehicles, locking out biofuels.

When the European Parliament earlier this month passed its version of legislation for car fleet CO2 targets for 2035, it was widely described as a ban on the combustion engine.

In fact, it is a required reduction of emissions by 100% for all new vehicles put on the market – which effectively rules out new petrol and diesel cars from that date.

The auto industry has decried the Parliament’s position, which must still be reconciled with the position of member states, as unworkable.

The biofuels sector is also concerned. Without combustion engines designed for petrol and diesel, the idea that biofuels can eventually be slotted in to replace them comes under threat.

Several lawmakers are also concerned about this, saying it breaks the EU’s mantra of keeping a technology neutral approach to regulation.

“I voted against the 100% target, I voted in favour of 90%,” centre-right Finnish MEP Henna Virkkunen, a member of the parliament’s industry and transport committees, told a EURACTIV event last week.

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EurActiv, 22 Jun 2022: EU’s 2035 ban on new thermal cars won’t spell the end of biofuels, industry says

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