Robert Besser
30 Mar 2023, 19:54 GMT+10
BRUSSELS, Belgium: The energy ministers of European Union member countries have approved a landmark law to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars by 2035, despite Germany winning an exemption for cars that run on e-fuels.
After weeks of delay caused by last-minute opposition from Germany, Europe's main climate policy for cars can now enter into force.
Under the new law, which aims to drive the rapid decarbonization of new car fleets in Europe, all new cars must have zero CO2 emissions beginning in 2035, as well as 55 percent lower CO2 emissions from 2030, compared with 2021 levels.
The European Commission has pledged, however, to create a legal route for sales of new cars that only run on e-fuels to continue after 2035, after Germany demanded this exemption.
Before Germany won the exemption, the EU policy had been expected to make it impossible to sell combustion engine cars in the bloc from 2035. But the exemption offers a potential lifeline to traditional vehicles, despite e-fuels not yet being produced at scale.
German transport minister Volker Wissing said the agreement would "open up important options for the population towards climate-neutral and affordable mobility."
"The direction of travel is clear: in 2035, new cars and vans must have zero emissions," said EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans, according to Reuters.
As e-fuels are made using captured CO2 emissions, which supporters claim balances out the CO2 released when the fuel is combusted in an engine, e-fuels are considered carbon neutral.
In autumn 2023, the European Commission will decide how sales of e-fuel-only cars can continue after 2035.
Italy, Bulgaria and Romania abstained from the vote, while Poland voted against the law.
Get a daily dose of Salt Lake City Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Salt Lake City Sun.
More InformationCHICAGO, Illinois: Driven by an ongoing shortage of properties available on the market, in March US single-family home prices rose ...
MIAMI, Florida: Carnival Cruise Lines has said a cruise ship, the Carnival Sunshine, which sailed through rough seas off the ...
BEIJING, China: On his return to China after a three year absence, which is his company's largest production hub, Tesla ...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks surged on Friday on the debt ceiling resolution and a strong jobs report.Nonfarm ...
SANTA CLARA, California: As investors piled more capital into Nvidia, the chipmaker that has become one of the biggest winners ...
PARIS, France: France has celebrated the groundbreaking for the first of four battery manufacturing gigafactories, which European and Asian companies ...
KRESNA GORGE, Bulgaria -- With churning waters cutting through a verdant valley filled with some of Europe's most diverse nature ...
The Miami Heat find themselves in unfamiliar territory after a series opener in the playoffs, while the Denver Nuggets are ...
The Miami Heat entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference but are in an unfamiliar ...
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law on Saturday legislation that suspends the U.S. government's debt limit through ...
The owners of the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers are teaming to donate $100,000 to organizations serving veterans at ...
The former Fort Bragg, North Carolina will from now on be known as Fort LibertyThe US Army officially redesignated its ...