MEPs vote to end combustion engine cars in 2035
Car exhaust emissions have an impact on the environment (photo illustration).
Getty Images/Luke MacGregor
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The European Parliament approved this Wednesday, June 8, despite fierce opposition from the right, Brussels' proposal to reduce emissions from new cars to zero from 2035,
de facto
only authorizing the sale of electric vehicles.
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MEPs, meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg, validated the text on the regulation of CO2 emissions from cars and vans, which is part of the EU's ambitious climate plan, by 339 for (249 votes against, 24 abstentions).
This tight vote determines the position of MEPs before their negotiations with member states to finalize a compromise.
Cars account for 12% of CO2 emissions in the EU.
The goal of "
zero emissions
" was the subject of a bitter battle in the hemicycle, with an amendment from the EPP (pro-European right and leading force in Parliament) proposing to aim instead for a 90% reduction in emissions automobiles in 2035. This would have allowed the continued sale of hybrid cars.
The amendment was ultimately narrowly defeated.
Conversely, the Greens, who wanted to advance the ban on heat engines to 2030, were not convinced either.
Towards the end of “
oil dependency
”
The right, which called for also taking into account the carbon emitted for the production of a car, also failed to pass an amendment promoting the use of “
synthetic fuels
” potentially more ecological than fossil fuels.
"
The phasing out of combustion engines
is a historic opportunity to end our dependence on oil
", while the increased production of electric vehicles will help to lower the price, welcomes Alex Keynes, of the NGO Transport & Environment.
The right, which logically voted against the entire text, is however alarmed by the industrial consequences.
►Also read: International Guest - Ban on thermal cars in 2035: "
There will be consequences for manufacturers
"
(With
AFP
)
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European Union
Automotive
Transportation
Environment