The European Union is edging closer to relaxing a scheduled ban on sales of new internal-combustion-engine vehicles in 10 years’ time, under intense pressure by its automakers.
A meeting between the economic bloc’s trading body, the European Commission, and automakers and their representatives could be laying the ground for a change in policy that would see continued sales of ICE vehicles using carbon-neutral fuels.
The meeting chaired by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen brought warm words of welcome from Europe’s automaker representative body, the European Automobile Manufacturers Assn. (ACEA).
“We agree with the Commission president that bold and fast action is required,” Ola Källenius, ACEA president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz, says in an organization statement. “No one has more at stake in the success of zero-emission mobility than Europe’s automakers. A thriving Europe needs us, and we need a thriving Europe.”
This attitude is in marked contrast to comments made nearly a year ago as the association warned regulators that the mandated BEV sales targets would be disaster for the auto industry on the Continent.
And it also hints that objections to the ICE ban, so vocally expressed by Mahle’s CEO Arnd Franz, might finally be taken seriously by European regulators.
In a European Commission release about the meeting, it reaffirms its support for the domestic auto industry, adding: “The Commission is safeguarding European companies against unfair competition, improving access to critical raw materials, and supporting workers through reskilling.”
It also announces the signing of a memorandum of understanding with auto stakeholders “to accelerate automotive research and innovation…at aiming to position Europe as a leader in sustainable and smart mobility by 2035 and beyond.”
There is also a tacic admission that the Commission is heeding automaker calls to act on reviewing the regulation of vehicle CO2 emission performance standards originally planned to take place in 2026. A further meeting with auto stakeholders is expected in December.
