christian garcia
February 15, 2023
The electrification is unstoppable. Although opting for a zero-emission car is still optional today, the European Parliament has just approved that from 2035 it will be mandatory for all manufacturers operating in the Old Continent to market only carbon-neutral models. What will happen to the thermal ones that were already in circulation? Will I have to buy an electric yes or yes? We see it…
They had already warned us, but some still clung to the “relaxation” of the new Euro 7 regulations and other aspects such as the shortage and prices of lithium, the difficulty of building charging railway infrastructures for all, etc. to affirm that combustion cars still had a lot of life. Well, the reality is that no… at least, not in Europe and not as we know it now. Brussels has just approved the new CO2 emission reduction targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, which means that from 2035 the sale of diesel and gasoline vehicles will be prohibited in order to reach the limits proposed by mid-century.
New cars emit on average almost half the CO2 of the park as a whole
This decision also means end of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and microhybrids, since most of the time they work thanks to the fuel engine that derives from petroleum and, therefore, emit harmful gases, although it is to a lesser extent than traditional diesel and gasoline. Directly, the EU says goodbye to the possibility of selling from the factory any alternative that is not carbon neutral, and this leads us to think about a series of questions that we will try to answer.
By 2035… only electric BEV?
No, there are other technologies that do not cause pollution during operation (be careful, we would have to see if the carbon footprint during its manufacture is also zero…) In addition to battery electric cars (BEV), there are hydrogen, fuel cell and it is expected that there will also be other mechanics powered by synthetic fuels without emissions.
However, the Dutch deputy Jan Huitema has commented after the announcement of the news that the majority trend will be towards electric battery, since the total cost of ownership is lower than that of the others and, according to forecasts, the price of the BEVs will be equated with that of the current thermal ones. Likewise, there is still room for autonomies to continue growing, efficiency to improve and thus to eliminate this prejudice.
“This regulation will promote the manufacture of zero or low emission vehicles. It includes an ambitious revision of the targets for 2030 and 2035, essential to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. These objectives bring clarity to the automotive industry and stimulate innovation and investment among car manufacturers. Buying and driving clean cars will be cheaper, and a second-hand market will appear before. Sustainable driving will finally be within everyone’s reach”, says Huitema.
And what will happen to my combustion car?
The thermal cars that are already in circulation can continue to be used without problem. Of course, most likely increase cost of ownership with higher fuel prices, fewer aftermarket parts, etc. In addition, it must not be forgotten that the restrictions on polluting cars will be present with areas such as the LEZs that who knows if they will be extended to a greater number of municipalities.
Will there be combustion cars on the second-hand market?
Yes. As we say, European approval only affects new cars. Therefore, vehicles that are in circulation before the set date may continue to move, regardless of the owner.
Europe against the world
Indeed, the ban is only contemplated within the European market, something that on the other hand is a bit utopian if we take into account that gases do not understand borders and that Europe “only” is responsible for 10% of global CO2 emissions. . If countries like China, the United States, India or Russia continue with their intention of doing nothing, rather little will be achieved.
