EU’s 2035 Petrol Car Ban Faces Challenges
The European Union’s (EU) external auditor has warned that the bloc’s goal of banning new petrol car sales by 2035 may not be feasible due to high electric vehicle (EV) costs and a lack of credible alternative fuel options.
The EU aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with road transport accounting for nearly a quarter of its emissions. However, the auditor cautions that the bloc may create new economic dependencies and harm its own industry if it proceeds with the 2035 ban.
High EV production costs in Europe mean the bloc will have to rely on cheap imports, mainly from China, to meet the goal. Currently, China produces 76% of EV batteries, while the EU accounts for less than 10%.
Moreover, the spread of EVs has largely been driven by subsidies, and prices would need to halve for widespread adoption. Charging infrastructure is also lacking, with 70% of charging points concentrated in just three countries (Germany, France, Netherlands). The EU has also fallen short of its aim to set up 1 million charging stations across the bloc.
Alternative fuels such as biofuels, e-fuels, and hydrogen remain uneconomic at commercial scale. The auditor also highlights that the EU has not cut real CO2 emissions from cars despite new testing standards and measures, attributing this to a gap between laboratory tests and real-world emission tests.
