Aurélien Fleurot / Photo credits: MATHIEU THOMASSET / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP 8:25 a.m., March 18, 2024

Zero thermal cars in 2035?

This objective of the European Union to achieve carbon neutrality is increasingly questioned by car manufacturers.

The boss of Renault, Luca de Meo, doubts all-electric in 2035, pleading for a postponement of a few years.

It's a little music that is starting to gain decibels in the automobile industry: what if all-electric in 2035 in Europe was in trouble?

Until then, despite the reluctance displayed by certain manufacturers, the entire industry explained that it had turned towards this objective.

But after the boss of Stellantis, Carlos Tavarès, it was that of Renault, Luca de Meo, who spoke about a desirable postponement of several years.

The tide therefore seems to be turning and the thermal engine, excluded at this stage from sales of new cars in 2035, has not said its last word. 

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“It is expected that 2035 will be postponed”

The reversal has not yet begun but more and more arguments give the 2026 review clause the appearance of a decisive turning point.

Especially since the first doubts are coming to light among German manufacturers: Volkswagen is postponing the construction of a battery gigafactory, Mercedes is finally explaining that it is keeping thermal technology for longer than expected... Nothing surprising, according to Bertrand Rakoto, in charge of automotive at Ducker Carlisle.

“The signals announcing these difficulties are increasingly important and therefore we expect that 2035 will be postponed. And then, manufacturers continue to produce other technologies,” he explains.

The electric car, too expensive for many French people

Starting with the hybrid since the evolution of the automobile market is dictated by customers, often annoyed by the price of 100% electric, notes economist Flavien Neuvy, director of the Cetelem Observatory.

“If bonuses continue to fall, this also has an impact on motorists because electric cars are very expensive, many cannot afford to buy them and we can clearly see that today motorists are in the fog,” he slips.

A fog that could thicken for a few years, until there are real technological advances in batteries to bring down prices and charging times.