France and Spain Call on the European Union (EU) to Uphold 2035 Internal Combustion Engine Car Ban

According to Bloomberg, ahead of this week's EU leaders' summit, France and Spain are urging the EU to stick to its plan to ban the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles after 2035, a position that differs from that of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Image source: EU

The European Commission is currently re-evaluating regulations aimed at accelerating the green transition of the EU automotive industry. Merz has previously called for the EU to abandon the 2035 deadline to support the struggling German automotive sector.

According to reports, a document submitted at the EU climate ministers' meeting held in Luxembourg on October 21 indicates that France and Spain hope that the upcoming regulatory review can both retain the limit on the ban of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 and uphold the environmental goals underpinning that ban's carbon dioxide emission trajectory.

Although Spain and France have stated that the core climate goals should remain unchanged, they have also reserved "flexibility space" for manufacturers producing cars in Europe. The document shows that the two countries proposed a "super credit" preferential accounting mechanism based on the local content of car components. Additionally, the document states, "This flexible mechanism aims to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the process of producing cars within Europe."

The above statement highlights the challenges the EU faces in balancing environmental goals with the interests of the automotive industry: on one hand, the transformation progress of car manufacturers in EU member states is uneven; on the other hand, they also need to compete fiercely with Chinese rivals. The heads of government of EU member states will meet in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, on October 23 to discuss the EU's climate goals.

For a long time, car manufacturers within the European Union have been subject to the standards set by the EU.ElectrificationMercedes-Benz Group CEO and European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) President Ola Källenius is one of the most outspoken advocates for easing EU carbon dioxide emission regulations.