news
Summary
Italian officials are urging the European Union to reevaluate its 2035 ban on new internal-combustion cars, claiming the timeline is unrealistic given current market conditions. Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin labeled the ban as “absurd” and influenced by ideology, while Industry Minister Adolfo Urso called for an earlier assessment of emissions regulations. The Italian government advocates for greater flexibility in technology choices for emissions reduction and a more gradual transition from combustion engines.
Highlights -🚗
- Call for Review: Italian officials request an earlier review of the 2035 ban on combustion cars.
- Minister’s Critique: Energy Minister calls the ban “absurd” and ideologically driven.
- Market Realities: Officials highlight a slowdown in the European auto industry as a reason for changes.
- Flexible Technology: Italy’s government wants more freedom in the technologies used for emissions reduction.
- Pragmatic Vision: Industry Minister advocates for a “practical” approach to emissions rules.
- E-fuels Loophole: Germany’s successful lobbying for e-fuel loopholes softens 2035 regulations.
- Diverse Transition Needs: Northern European markets are already advancing in EV adoption, unlike others.
Italian officials want the European Union to review a plan to end sales of new internal-combustion cars by 2035 earlier than scheduled, reports Automotive News.
“The ban must be changed,” Italian energy minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin told Automotive News Europe on the sidelines of the TEHA business forum in Cernobbio, on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como, calling it “absurd” and dictated by an “ideological vision” and saying changes were required to address different market realities created by a slowdown of the European auto industry.
Adoflo Urso, Italy’s industry minister, said a planned intermediate assessment of progress toward meeting the stricter emissions rules that underpin the internal-combustion ban should be moved forward from 2026 to next year, declaring that the EU needs a “pragmatic vision” for the future of the auto industry.
The current right-wing Italian government of Giorgia Meloni wants EU member states to have more freedom in the technologies used to meet emissions-reduction goals, as well as a more gradual shift away from combustion engines, Automotive News Europe notes.
Read the full post at Green Car Reports.
