The Environment Commission of the European Parliament has provided a recommendation in support of the proposal made by the European Commission to put an end to the sale of gasoline-powered and diesel-powered automobiles beginning in the year 2035. However, the favorable impression did not come from a huge majority of those surveyed. In point of fact, there were 46 votes cast in support of the motion, 40 votes cast against it, and two people who abstained.

However, this is a very different position than the one that was expressed by the Transport Commission of the European Parliament. The Transport Commission of the European Parliament had voted “no” to the abolition of internal combustion engines from 2035 onward, instead expressing an opinion in favor of a technological mix in order to make room for combustion engines powered by alternative fuels, without having to focus solely on the electric. This position is very different from the one that has been expressed by the Transport Commission of the European Parliament.

A STILL LONG PATH

Instead, the members of the Environment Commission stated that they supported a “path towards zero-emission road mobility in 2035 for new cars and light commercial vehicles.” This goal would apply to vehicles of a certain size and weight.

In addition to expressing support for the proposal made by the European Commission to phase out the use of endothermic engines beginning in 2035, the Environment Commission has also suggested a number of steps that should be put into action.

For instance, the Commission is demanding, among other things, the following from the European Commission: a report on progress toward zero-emission road mobility by the end of 2025 and on an annual basis thereafter, which details the impact on consumers and employees, the level of use of renewable energy, and information on the market for second-hand vehicles; a report from the European Commission by the end of 2023 detailing the need for targeted funding to ensure a just transition in the energy sector; and a report on progress toward zero-emission

The favorable vote, on the other hand, sends a crucial message regarding the process of approving the plan put forth by the European Commission.

On this course, however, it will be quite some time before the idea is brought up for discussion before a meeting of the European Council.