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

Voitures & Ingénierie

11 Mar 202314:41

Summary

TLDRThe 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%.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 European Parliament's Ban on Thermal Vehicles by 2035

In June 2022, the European Parliament voted to ban thermal vehicles by 2035, a decision met with mixed reactions. Major automobile manufacturers like Renault, Volvo, Bentley, Ford, Fiat, and Mercedes-Benz announced plans to convert their entire fleet to electric within the coming years. However, this move faced opposition from countries like Italy and Germany, with concerns over the feasibility and impact on the automotive industry. The costs associated with transitioning from thermal to electric propulsion are substantial, involving millions of hours in R&D, development, and validation of new technologies, as well as the creation and construction of new manufacturing tools and lines.

05:03

🌏 Challenges of an Electric Vehicle Market Dominated by Asia

Asian countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, have made significant strides in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, especially in lithium and lithium-ion battery production. This has led to a strategic advantage in the global market. The shift away from thermal engines towards electric vehicles is expected to increase the import of Chinese cars into Europe. The rapid rise in market share of Chinese car brands in Europe is highlighted by the increase from 5% to 30% in the tire market between 2012 and 2018. The infrastructure for EV charging in Europe is also a concern, with most countries ill-equipped to handle the transition, which could have significant environmental impacts, such as increased demand for copper and the associated mining and pollution issues.

10:06

🌱 The Controversy Over Synthetic Fuels and Carbon Neutrality

The debate over the use of synthetic fuels post-2035 is contentious. Proponents argue that synthetic fuels, made from renewable energy sources and capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, could contribute to carbon neutrality. However, the high costs of transitioning to industrial production of these fuels and the current mediocre energy efficiency and carbon footprint results make this solution less appealing. Despite the EU's goal to ban thermal vehicles by 2035, the overall impact on global CO2 emissions would be minimal, as the EU's emissions constitute less than 8% of the global total. It's also important to note that electric vehicles, like thermal ones, produce CO2 emissions during their lifecycle, including battery manufacturing, use, maintenance, and recycling.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡European Parliament

The European Parliament is the legislative branch of the European Union (EU) and represents the interests of EU citizens. It plays a crucial role in passing laws and regulations. In the video, it is mentioned that the European Parliament ratified a law project concerning the ban on thermal vehicles by 2035, which is a central theme of the video as it discusses the future of vehicle propulsion in the EU.

💡Thermal Vehicles

Thermal vehicles refer to cars that use internal combustion engines, typically powered by gasoline or diesel. These vehicles are a significant source of CO2 emissions. The video discusses the European Parliament's decision to ban thermal vehicles by 2035, which is a major shift towards more environmentally friendly transportation.

💡Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Electric vehicles are cars that are powered by electricity, stored in batteries, and do not have an internal combustion engine. They are often considered a cleaner alternative to thermal vehicles. The video highlights the transition to electric vehicles by various car manufacturers and the challenges associated with this shift.

💡Car Manufacturers

Car manufacturers are companies that design, develop, and produce automobiles. The video mentions several manufacturers such as Renault, Volvo, Bentley, Ford, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, all of which are planning to transition their vehicle lineups to electric models within the coming years.

💡2035 Ban

The 2035 ban refers to the proposed legislation to prohibit the sale of thermal vehicles in the EU by the year 2035. This is a key point in the video as it discusses the implications of this ban on the automotive industry and the feasibility of such a transition.

💡Italian Opposition

The Italian opposition refers to the political stance of certain Italian officials, such as Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini and President of the Italian Council Giorgio Geremi, who criticize the EU's 2035 ban as an ideological choice that could disadvantage Italian and European companies. Their perspective is part of the broader debate on the pace and impact of the energy transition in the automotive sector.

💡Synthetic Fuels

Synthetic fuels are artificially manufactured fuels that can be produced from various sources, including renewable energy. The video discusses the potential use of synthetic fuels as an alternative to thermal engines after 2035, as they could help achieve carbon neutrality by utilizing CO2 from the atmosphere and renewable energy sources.

💡

💡CO2 Emissions

CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. The video explores the impact of the automotive industry on CO2 emissions and the potential reduction that could be achieved by switching to electric vehicles. However, it also points out that electric vehicles have their own CO2 emissions during their lifecycle, including from battery production.

💡Recharging Infrastructure

Recharging infrastructure refers to the network of charging stations required for electric vehicles. The video highlights the current lack of sufficient recharging stations in many European countries and the significant investment needed to build out this infrastructure to support a fleet of electric vehicles.

💡Chinese Car Market

The Chinese car market has experienced rapid growth, particularly in the production of electric vehicles. The video notes that China produced more electric vehicles than Germany, the USA, and Japan combined in 2021. It also discusses the potential for Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers to increase their market share in Europe, which could have significant implications for European car manufacturers.

💡Euro 6 and Euro 7 Standards

Euro 6 and Euro 7 are sets of regulations that set limits on the emissions of pollutants from passenger cars within the EU. The video mentions these standards in the context of the challenges faced by car manufacturers in developing clean and efficient internal combustion engines that meet increasingly stringent emission limits.

💡Carbon Neutrality

Carbon neutrality refers to achieving a state where the net carbon dioxide emissions are balanced by carbon offsets or removal. The video discusses the concept in relation to synthetic fuels, which could potentially help the automotive industry achieve carbon neutrality by using renewable energy sources and capturing CO2 from the air.

Highlights

In June 2022, the European Parliament ratified a law to ban thermal vehicles by 2035, with 339 votes in favor and 249 against.

The Association of European Car Manufacturers endorsed the decision the day after its official announcement.

Major car manufacturers like Renault, Volvo, Bentley, Ford, Fiat, and Mercedes-Benz committed to converting their entire range to electric within the next few years.

The last step in phasing out thermal engines in European dealerships was scheduled for March 7, 2023.

However, the decision is now facing pushback as Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, and Germany have officially opposed the outright ban on selling any thermal vehicles after 2035.

Italian Transport Minister Mateo Salvini called the EU's decision "absolute folly and stupidity", while the Italian Council President emphasized the need for a gradual energy transition.

The German Finance Minister confirmed in late February 2023 that his party, the FDP, refuses to ratify the complete phase-out of thermal engines by 2035.

The transition from thermal to 100% electric propulsion is costly, involving millions of hours spent on R&D, design, simulations, testing, and setting up dedicated manufacturing lines.

Applying these changes to the entire range of European manufacturers before the EU's deadline may be impossible.

Asian countries, especially in Southeast Asia, have gained a decisive advantage in the electric vehicle sector, particularly in lithium and lithium-ion battery production.

In 2021, China produced more electric vehicles than Germany, the US, and Japan combined. The Chinese market is now poised to invade the European market.

The forced shift to all-electric by 2035 also has implications for the electricity distribution network in Europe, which is currently ill-equipped with charging stations.

The demand for copper, needed for manufacturing charging stations, is expected to double in the coming years, leading to increased mining and potential environmental damage.

The German FDP party is pushing for a clause allowing the use of synthetic fuels after 2035, which could help achieve carbon neutrality.

Recent research, including by Porsche, has shown promising results for synthetic fuels, although the high costs and current mediocre energy efficiency and carbon footprint make them less appealing.

Many European leaders, including in France, are not considering alternatives to ending thermal vehicles by 2035.

Despite narratives of zero emissions, electric vehicles also produce direct or indirect CO2 emissions during each stage of their lifecycle.

According to the International Energy Agency, the entire EU was responsible for less than 8% of global CO2 emissions in 2021, with transportation accounting for just over 8% of that.

The shift to electric vehicles for all European cars would at best reduce global CO2 emissions by just 0.4%.