From NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood

h/t Dave Ward

Reuters are reporting that Europe’s carmakers are sounding the alarm, warning that the European Union’s planned ban on combustion engines is no longer realistic and that climate rules could undermine the auto industry and the region’s supply chain.

European Union targets to cut CO2 emissions from vehicles, including a 100% reduction for cars by 2035, are no longer feasible, the heads of the European automobile manufacturers’ and automotive suppliers’ associations said on Wednesday.

In a letter to von der Leyen, heads of Mercedes-Benz and powertrain and chassis maker Schaeffler AG said they were committed to achieving the EU’s net zero goal in 2050.

However, they said EU manufacturers now faced near-total dependency on Asia for batteries, as well as uneven charging infrastructure, higher manufacturing costs and U.S. tariffs.

“Meeting the rigid car and van CO2 targets for 2030 and 2035 is, in today’s world, simply no longer feasible,” they wrote.

Legal mandates and penalties would not drive the transition, they wrote.

“EVs will lead the charge, but there must also be space for (plug-in) hybrids, range extenders, highly efficient internal-combustion engine vehicles, hydrogen and decarbonised fuels,” the letter said.

CO2 regulation for heavy-duty trucks and buses must also be reviewed, the two association chiefs said.

Full story here.