EU U-Turn! Internal Combustion Engine Ban Facing Unexpected REVERSAL?!

The European Union, it seems, is having second thoughts about its ambitious plan to ban internal combustion engines (ICE) by 2035. After facing a mounting wave of pressure from automakers and political leaders, it appears the ban isn't quite as ironclad as it once seemed. I have to say, this is a welcome development, given the potential ramifications for both consumers and the automotive industry.

EU U-Turn! Internal Combustion Engine Ban Facing U...

The core issue? A growing chorus of voices argues that the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) simply isn't ready, and that EVs themselves remain too expensive for many consumers. Automakers also point to the significant risk of job losses if they are forced to shift exclusively to EV production. Frankly, it's hard to argue with these points; electric vehicles are still, for many, a luxury.

For a long time, Brussels appeared resolute, sticking to its guns despite the protests. But it seems those protests have finally broken through. Now, production of ICE vehicles will continue, but "under specific conditions." The key appears to be a focus on low-emission, renewable fuels. I find this a much more pragmatic approach than a complete ban.

A crucial turning point appears to have been a letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This letter clearly resonated, as Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, confirmed that ICEs would continue after 2035, provided they run on fuels like synthetic fuels and biofuels. He even mentioned HVO100, a fuel made entirely from hydro-processed vegetable oil, which BMW is already using in Germany.

Synthetic gasoline, backed by companies like Porsche, is another promising avenue. Porsche has been investing heavily in the production of eFuels at a plant in Chile, claiming near-carbon-neutrality. If these technologies can be scaled up, they could offer a viable alternative to a complete ban on ICEs. It's worth noting that these technologies could provide a lifeline to existing vehicles, too, something a forced transition to EVs simply wouldn't allow.

The EU was supposed to unveil the details of these new measures on December 10th, but the "car package" has been pushed back to the end of the month. There are still lingering questions about the future of plug-in hybrids and vehicles with range extender engines. If they can run on these low-emission fuels, it seems logical that they, too, would be allowed to continue. However, the real question now is whether the necessary infrastructure for synthetic and biofuels can be developed quickly enough. It's a tight timeline, to say the least.

Even with these concessions, it's uncertain whether limiting ICE sales to vehicles running on alternative fuels will be enough to prevent job losses. And let's not forget, this decision only affects *new* car sales... so, the second-hand market and existing ICE vehicles will continue to operate regardless. Still, this is a significant shift, and hopefully a more realistic approach to reducing emissions.