The vote was intended to be a routine approval of a deal reached last year to ban new fossil fuel vehicles starting in 2035. However, Germany’s abstention from the vote could have potentially derailed the EU's green plans.
The delay in the vote came after Germany raised concerns about how the ban would affect the auto industry and the use of e-fuels in vehicles after 2035. Eliminating carbon-based transportation emissions is a crucial part of the EU's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% this decade and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. However, the transition to electric vehicles has raised concerns over the impact on the auto industry and job losses.
Last month, Ford announced that it was cutting about 3,800 jobs across Europe, with workers in Germany and the UK expected to be the hardest hit. While legislation for e-fuels provides a way forward for the continued operation of existing internal-combustion vehicles, it does not address job reductions in vehicle production. Additionally, there are technical loopholes in the definition of e-fuels that could include fossil fuels refined using renewable electricity, which some believe undermines the purpose of the ban.
As a result, some believe that exceptions for fossil fuels and e-fuels should be limited to aviation and shipping, which are more challenging to decarbonize. However, some EU officials are optimistic that a compromise can be reached, and legislation for e-fuels will be nuanced to avoid technical loopholes.
The EU officials will continue to work towards a solution that balances the need for decarbonization with the concerns of the auto industry.
Source: Automotive News
