Europe Split in Two: Italy and Germany Against 7 States That Only Want Electric Cars by 2035

The debate concerning the future of the automotive sector in Europe continues, and the novelty is an alliance of seven member states urging the European Commission not to revise the plans for zero emissions. Denmark, Spain, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden have created a joint letter to promote adherence to the stipulated targets while accepting the new proposals that were introduced last year.

Essentially, these countries accept the more lenient rules, which will allow for a small share of internal combustion engines to remain, but only if, as foreseen, this 10% is offset by green credits or the use of sustainable fuels and low-carbon steel. The remaining 90% must be zero emissions, meaning electric or hydrogen cars. And the deadline is the well-known: 2035.

According to the signatory countries, further weakening of the rules could create confusion in the sector, with limited investment planning opportunities, posing a significant long-term risk. Obviously, some of the involved countries, such as France and Spain, are already making substantial investments in factories capable of producing hundreds of thousands of electric cars.

Another focal point of the letter concerns "energy security," highlighted by the current crisis. According to the seven countries, disengaging from fossil sources is imperative for the future well-being of the Union.

On the opposing side, there are other states, but the most representative are practically just Italy, Germany, and the Czech Republic. This trio is asking for more exemptions for plug-in hybrids and also requests that the idea of compensatory credits be discarded, thus allowing the sale of 10% of internal combustion engines without restrictions. The German government is not in favor of