Ford and Volvo have both joined a group of European businesses calling for an end to combustion engined car sales by 2035. While the EU has indicated that just such a ban is in the works, no legislation has yet been enacted to enshrine that date in law.
Caring for our planet and each other
"At Ford in Europe, we believe that freedom of movement goes hand-in-hand with caring for our planet and each other," said Stuart Rowley, chair, Ford of Europe. "That's why we are targeting all Ford vehicles to be zero emission by 2035. To successfully achieve this, EU policymakers must also establish mandatory national targets for a seamless electric charging infrastructure that lives up to the growing demand for electric vehicles."
Rowley will this week address the European Car Climate Summit, hosted by environmental think-tank Transport & Environment (T&E) to back up Ford's call for the 2035 ban, and its commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The group of companies calling for greater action to push Europe towards net-zero emissions includes An Post, LeasePlan, Tesco, Zurich and Unilever.
EU Commission proposal
The EU is currently deciding on new clean car rules, following a proposal by the EU Commission - supported by the companies making the appeal - that only zero-emission new cars and vans can be sold EU-wide from 2035. The European Parliament and EU governments will decide their positions in June, with the final law expected to be adopted in autumn.
Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars, said: "Volvo Cars plans to become a fully electric car company by 2030 and supports the end of fossil fuel vehicle sales in Europe by 2035. This would not only be in-line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, which require 100 per cent zero tailpipe emission vehicle sales in Europe by 2035, but it's just the right thing to do. The window for us to avoid the worst impacts of global warming is rapidly closing. At this critical moment, now is the time for the EU to reaffirm its leadership in climate action."
Ambitious targets
Tomas Björnsson, CEO InCharge and Vice President E-Mobility, Vattenfall, the huge Swedish energy company, said: "We're happy to be supporting the open call to EU governments and the European Parliament to ensure all new cars and vans in Europe are zero emission from 2035. Our goal is to enable a fossil free society and the electrification of the transport sector is an important element in this transition. The EV market will continue to mature in the coming years and Vattenfall will contribute to the ambitious EU targets by further building out one of the largest charging networks in Europe together with partners. To walk the talk and reduce emissions in our operations, we have the ambition to electrify our own car fleet by 2030."
T&E, and the 25 companies, believe that setting the 2035 date in stone will "kick start a systemic transformation in Europe's car industry and make it a global leader in a key sector for a net zero future."