Calling on the EU to ensure all new cars and vans in Europe are zero emission from 2035

A broad cross-industry coalition including Ford of Europe and Volvo Cars are appealing to the EU to ensure all new cars and vans in Europe are zero emission from 2035 and to establish mandatory charging infrastructure targets.

They say the deadline for new fossil fuel engines is needed to ensure the last cars and vans powered by internal combustion engines are off the road by 2050 – when Europe is required to reach net zero emissions. The vehicle manufacturers, which together sold around 800,000 cars in Europe last year, appealed to EU lawmakers in a joint letter today signed with 26 other companies which represent a wide range of industries.

While 15 car brands have voluntarily pledged to only sell electric cars in Europe in the next decade, the signatories say it’s down to EU decision makers to mirror this in firm vehicle regulation to provide planning certainty for industry but also for infrastructure providers and customers in the transition to electric vehicles. The letter is addressed to MEPs and EU governments as they decide on new clean car rules including a proposal by the EU Commission that only zero-emission new cars and vans – and not hybrids – can be sold EU-wide from 2035. The signatories explicitly support this EU Commission proposal.

Stuart Rowley, Chair of Ford Europe, said: “At Ford in Europe, we believe that freedom of movement goes hand-in-hand with caring for our planet and each other. That’s why we are targeting all Ford vehicles to be zero emission by 2035 in line with this call, the COP26 RouteZero initiative and with our Paris Climate commitment. 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, and will empower European consumers and businesses to take full advantage of living in a digital world.”

Electric vehicles, which already account for one-fifth of cars sold across the EU, are a readily available solution to climate emissions and dangerous air pollution. Cars and vans are responsible for 15% of all CO₂ emissions and are also the single largest source of nitrogen dioxide pollution, which the European Environment Agency estimates causes over 40,000 premature deaths in Europe every year.

Kim Fausing, President and CEO, Danfoss:
“At Danfoss, we have been helping to enable zero emission driving for over three decades, and we are proudly supporting the open call on the EU to end the sale of combustion engine cars and vans by 2035. Electrification is central to reducing CO₂ in the transport sector. If we are to achieve the Paris Agreement goals, we need to take the green transition much more seriously, and implement the technologies that are readily available today.”

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% 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.”

Setting an end date for fossil fuel car sales will also 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, said the companies, which also include utilities Iberdrola and Vattenfall, and businesses which operate major vehicle fleets such as Zurich and Sanofi. Many are concerned about the lack of supply of electric vehicles to decarbonize their own vehicles.

Tomas Björnsson, CEO InCharge and Vice President E-Mobility, Vattenfall:
“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.”

Combustion engine cars are also responsible for about a third of all oil imports into Europe. Switching to fossil free road transport would enhance the continent’s energy security and cut the billions of euros it sends abroad for oil every year.

The European Parliament and EU governments will decide their positions on the 2035 zero-emissions vehicles target in June. Following negotiations, the final law is expected to be adopted in autumn.