Part of Europe Wants to Perpetuate Combustion Engines Beyond 2035, But Do Consumers Agree?

With the recent intention of the EPP (European People's Party) to weaken the EU's goal of banning the sale of new combustion vehicles by 2035, the question arises: Will this really prevent the end of combustion engines? Let's try to analyze this topic from a broader perspective...

Following scientific guidance, regulators have, in recent years, provided the highest incentives for the purchase of new vehicles that do not emit local pollutants. For example, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles also benefit from these incentives. However, fuel cell vehicles have never achieved significant sales volumes because the industry has been unable to produce them at a competitive price and the hydrogen refueling infrastructure has failed to develop at the same pace as electric charging networks. Among zero local emission vehicles, consumer preference clearly points to 100% electric vehicles.

Even the most skeptical about electrification admit that Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are the most pleasant cars to drive under current traffic conditions, offering agility in traffic, exceptional acoustic comfort, easy, intuitive, and relaxing driving.

The electrification of automobiles also represents a technological evolution, as BEVs are much more efficient at converting energy into movement, do not emit CO2, NOx, or fine particles, can be powered by various renewable energy sources, have reusable and recyclable batteries, are technically simpler, and require less maintenance. These characteristics are valued by current generations but will be even more appreciated by future ones.

For all these reasons, when we reach 2035, new car buyers will be much more inclined to purchase 100% electric vehicles rather than combustion engines. This will be a natural evolution that needs to be encouraged by governments as long as BEV prices are significantly higher than ICE prices and the charging infrastructure is still developing. However, once price parity is reached, the choice will be up to the consumer.

On July 2nd, Automotive News reported that the EPP, the largest group of lawmakers in the EU, intends to introduce changes to the regulations on new car sales to be applied from 2035. The goal is to weaken the bloc's intention to ban the sale of new cars with local CO2 emissions. Based on the logical evolution of new car purchasing trends, especially among younger generations who value technological advancements, it seems unlikely that in 2035 consumers will still want to buy legacy technology vehicles in volume, regardless of laws attempting to prolong their survival.

Ricardo Oliveira

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