💪 Le Moteur Thermique va Subsister grâce à l'Allemagne! 💪

Summary

The European Parliament's decision to ban internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 has faced significant pushback, with four EU member states officially opposing the ban. The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is costly and complex, involving extensive R&D, infrastructure development, and a complete overhaul of production processes. Asian countries, particularly China, have made significant strides in the EV market, especially in battery technology. The shift to EVs also raises concerns about the strain on the electricity grid and the environmental impact of increased demand for materials like copper. Despite the push for EVs, their overall impact on reducing global CO2 emissions is minimal, with electric vehicles in Europe contributing to a potential reduction of just 0.4% in global CO2 emissions. The debate continues as to whether the ban is feasible or if alternative solutions, such as synthetic fuels, should be considered.

Takeaways

• 🇪🇺 The European Parliament ratified a law project to ban thermal vehicles by 2035, with 339 votes against 249 and 244 abstentions.
• 🚗 Major car manufacturers like Renault, Volvo, Bentley, Ford, Fiat, and Mercedes-Benz have announced plans to convert their entire vehicle range to electric within the coming years.
• 🗓️ The last step in the phase-out of thermal engines from European dealerships was initially scheduled for March 7, 2023.
• 🇮🇹 Italian officials, including Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini, criticized the EU's decision as an ideological choice that could disadvantage Italian and European companies.
• 🚫 Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, and Italy have officially opposed the abrupt ban on the sale of all thermal motorization after 2035 within their territories.
• 💰 The transition from thermal to fully electric propulsion is costly, involving millions of hours in R&D, design, simulations, and validation processes.
• 🔋 Asian countries, particularly China, have a significant lead in the lithium and lithium-ion battery market, which is crucial for electric vehicles.
• 📈 Chinese electric vehicle production surpassed that of Germany, the USA, and Japan combined, and their market share in Europe has been rapidly increasing.
• 🔌 The infrastructure for electric vehicle charging in Europe is currently insufficient, with very few charging stations compared to the population size.
• ♻️ The environmental impact of transitioning to electric vehicles includes increased demand for metals like copper, leading to more mining and potential pollution.
• 🌍 Even if all EU vehicles were to become electric by 2035, it would result in a minimal reduction (0.4%) in global CO2 emissions due to the larger contributions from energy production, industry, and construction sectors.

Q & A

When did the European Parliament ratify the law concerning the ban on thermal vehicles by 2035?

The European Parliament ratified the law concerning the ban on thermal vehicles by 2035 in early June 2022.

What was the vote count in favor of the ban on thermal vehicles by 2035?

The vote count in favor of the ban was 339 votes against 249, with 244 abstentions.

Which car manufacturers have committed to converting their entire fleet to electric by 2030 or earlier?

Renault, Volvo, Bentley, Ford, Fiat, and Mercedes-Benz have committed to converting their entire fleet to electric by 2030 or earlier.

What was the original date set for the final phase of the disappearance of thermal engines from European dealerships?

The final phase of the disappearance of thermal engines from European dealerships was scheduled for March 7, 2023.

Which countries have officially opposed the ban on the sale of all thermal motorization after 2035?

Italy, Germany, Poland, and Bulgaria have officially opposed the ban on the sale of all thermal motorization after 2035.

What is the main reason for the opposition to the rapid transition to electric vehicles?

The main reason for the opposition is that the deadlines and methods imposed by the European Union do not coincide with the European and Italian reality for grasping the challenges of such a transformation.

What are the costs associated with transitioning from thermal to 100% electric propulsion?

The costs include millions of hours spent on research and development, development costs including design and numerous digital simulations, validation plans, creation and construction of tools and manufacturing lines, and the adaptation of procedures and organizations for engine thermal engines to electric vehicles.

How has the automotive industry in Southeast Asia, particularly China, advanced in the electric vehicle sector?

Southeast Asian countries, particularly China, have made significant advancements in the electric vehicle sector, especially in the lithium and lithium-ion battery market, which represents the majority of the global market. China produced more electric vehicles in 2021 than Germany, the USA, and Japan combined.

What is the impact of the forced transition to all-electric vehicles by 2035 on the European electricity distribution network?

The impact on the European electricity distribution network has not been fully considered, as most European countries are significantly under-equipped in terms of charging stations, which would require substantial investment and could lead to environmental issues.

What are the potential environmental consequences of the increased demand for copper due to the transition to electric vehicles?

The increased demand for copper, needed for manufacturing charging stations, could lead to a surge in mining activities, resulting in pollution from heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, or arsenic.

What is the proposed alternative to the ban on thermal vehicles by 2035, as suggested by some German representatives?

The proposed alternative is the adoption of a clause allowing the use of synthetic fuels after the 2035 deadline, as these fuels could potentially achieve carbon neutrality by being produced from renewable sources and involving the capture of existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

What is the estimated reduction in global CO2 emissions if all vehicles in the European Union were to become electric by 2035?

The transition to electric vehicles in the European Union would, at best, reduce global CO2 emissions by 0.4%.