Plan to ban petrol car sales by 2035 not credible given EV costs, charging structure and battery supplies, European Court of Auditors says
An electric vehicle battery pack on the production line: China accounts for 76 per cent of EV battery output. Photograph: iStockThe European Union needs to rethink its policies to make a 2035 ban on new petrol car sales feasible as electric vehicles remain unaffordable and alternative fuel options are not credible, the EU’s external auditor said, jeopardising its 2050 climate goals.
The EU wants to have at least 30 million zero-emission cars on European roads by 2030, or about 12 per cent of the current car fleet. However, the European Court of Auditors cautioned the bloc may create new economic dependencies and hurt its own industry.As it stands, high EV production costs in Europe means the bloc will have to rely on cheap imports, mainly from China, if it sticks to the 2035 goal.
While EV purchases have been on the rise in the EU, the increase was largely due to subsidies. In addition, charging infrastructure is lacking with 70 per cent of charging points concentrated in just Germany, France and the Netherlands. The EU is falling short of its aim to set up one million charging stations across the bloc.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Reimagining our future landscapes for a net zero worldBig changes to land use are needed for Ireland to become climate-neutral by 2050
Read more »
Restoring bogs is more complex than just removing treesState-owned forestry body views stalled Connemara project as a pilot site for an ambitious plan to restore 30,000 hectares of bog along the west by 2050
Read more »
Padraig Harrington holds nerve to win Hoag Classic in CaliforniaHarrington recovered from two big setbacks to secure his seventh win on the PGA Champions Tour.
Read more »
What will it take to make Irish roads safer?In the News podcast: Is the Road Safety Authority’s goal of no road-related deaths or serious injuries by 2050 really achievable?
Read more »
Garda middle managers call for 4,000 new officers amid recruitment plan problemAlready this year, around 40 gardaí have resigned – compared to 162 for the whole of 2022.
Read more »
Means testing for Family Carer’s Allowance could be abolished under new planThe Regional Group of TDs is seeking cross-party support for a motion to replace the current system, with a non-means tested scheme.
Read more »