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European Union Votes to Ban Gas Engine Sales by 2035

This week the European Union is one step closer toward reaching their ambitious green initiative. Lawmakers voted on Wednesday, June 8th to officially ban the sale of diesel and gasoline vehicles by 2035. Of the members in European parliament, 339 MEPs voted in favor of this plan, 249 MEPs voted against the change, and 24 MEPs abstained. Needless to say, this vote has been a long time coming. Government officials have been debating the best course of action for combating climate change over the last decade.

With this news comes an exciting opportunity for countries within the Schengen region, however, obstacles do stand in the way. Take a look at what this vote means for the electric industry and what to expect in the years to come.

What does the European Union ban mean for electric vehicle sales?

With a favored vote to cut gas-guzzling engines, the alternative future falls directly on the electric industry. The EU has been well advanced in welcoming EV sales in the past, but this vote sheds a new light on how quickly things are changing. For a number of years, automakers have began pledging their allegiance toward electric mobility, but this now puts added pressure on global automakers as a whole.

In order to adjust to the time constraint, automakers must actively ramp up electric vehicle production (and fast). Right now, electric vehicle registration makes up 18% of new car registration in the EU. With the ban of gas and diesel engines, this percentage will rise in no time. Drivers will have no other option but to switch to electric mobility should they fancy a new vehicle. With that being said, a major part of the challenge is not so much the production aspect, but how you can make electric vehicles more attainable for the everyday driver.

What challenges lie ahead?

Even though electric production is continually evolving, one setback remains: the cost. On a global scale, electric vehicles normally retail higher than passenger vehicles. In fact, a number of fully electric models fall into the “luxury category” of car shopping. Because of this, the expense prohibits more buyers from fully committing to electric mobility and thus reducing gas emissions. Not to mention, price is usually the main factor that influences buyer decisions. You can’t buy a car, regardless of where you live, unless you can afford it. With the EU ban, it brings another problem to the table. Can automakers reduce the cost of electric vehicles?

Some experts suggest that accepting lower profit margins is the solution. But to really achieve greater cost parity between electric vehicles and combustion engines, all automakers will have to dedicate more time, money, and resources toward this type of expansion. Luckily, several automakers have already gotten started. Take Ford, for example. They’ve invest 11.4 billion in a joint venture with SK innovation to create their own lithium ion batteries. Instead of relying on outside suppliers and the potential of part shortages, they’ll have the product directly at hand.

Other car brands like Renault, Peugeot, Hyundai and Volkswagen are gearing up to go fully green as well. In Europe, these companies dominate EV sales, which has multiplied by 6 since 2019. The swift leap in EV purchases can mainly be attributed to government tax breaks, high gas costs, and improved CO2 standards. As a result, we can expect more and more buyers to progress in this direction within the next decade, despite the recent ban.

Final thoughts

The EU’s decision should come as no surprise. Over the last few years, MEPs have advocated fiercely for carbon neutrality within the European Union; all in an effort to avert the consequences of global warming. Dutch MEP Jan Huitema is one of the hundreds of government officials who are working toward this change.

“I am thrilled that the European Parliament has backed an ambitious revisions of the targets for 2030, and supported 100% target for 2035, which is crucial to reach climate neutrality by 2050.”

Today, EU greenhouse gas emissions total above 1041 tons of CO2 equivalents, which is slightly above pre-pandemic levels, according to Eurostat. This recent victory demonstrates a strong progression forward. Reducing emissions through improved energy efficiency and lower carbon energy sources will secure a better outlook for the future.

As of now, the last fossil fuel engines will be sold by 2035 in all countries within the European Union. However, lawmakers already have ambiguous plans to cut emissions in half by 2030. It goes without saying, the next decade will be a tremendous change within the automotive world. Perhaps the EU’s united approach toward cutting emissions will inspire more government officials to do the same.

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Michaella Malone
Michaella Malone is a content specialist and full-time freelancer with 5+ years of experience working with small businesses on online platforms. She is a graduate of Florida State University (Go Noles!) and avid traveller, having visited over 25 countries and counting. In addition to blogging, ghostwriting, and social media content, she has contributed to the development of English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculums for international programs.

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