In today’s breaking news, EU lawmakers passed legislation prohibiting the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles beginning in 2035. However, the new law allows the sale of vehicles that operate on carbon-neutral fuel.
Zero emissions by 2035
According to the new law approved on Tuesday, all new vans and cars should comply with low carbon emissions by the year 2030. It also mandates zero emissions for all new cars and vans by 2035. The new law effectively ends the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles in the European Union as of 2035. It favors the increased use of EVs.
Frans Timmermans, EVP (EU), said the EU community needs clarity on the regulatory framework. Timmermans also claimed it was not right to tie the industry and citizens to the past. As per the terms of the agreement entered into in 2022, the emission standards of cars in 2030 should be 55% lower than those in 2021. The emission levels of all new vans in 2030 should be 50% lower than in 2021. Zero emissions are set for all new vans and cars in 2035.
Efforts to combat climate change
The new law, which bans petrol and diesel cars, is aimed at combating climate change and promoting the quick adoption of electric vehicles. As per the new law, all car makers need to ensure a 100% cut in carbon emissions in all the new cars sold in 2025.
The new law enacted on Tuesday eliminates the sale of vehicles that run on fossil fuels in the 27-nation bloc. Jan Huitema, the lead negotiator in the parliament on the rules, stated that the operating costs of EVs are already lower than those of vehicles that run on fossil fuels. It also necessitates the need to introduce more affordable electric vehicles in the EU.
In 2022, Thomas Schaefer, Chief Executive of Volkswagen, said the company was committed to manufacturing only electric vehicles (EVs) from 2033 in the EU. However, in July 2021, some nations and industries objected to EU law.
Ford Motor Co Decides to Reduce Workforce in Europe In the Next Three Years
According to the most recent information gathered from the best US news websites, Ford Motor Co. has decided to lay off 3,800 employees to shift to more affordable electric vehicles. It is to reduce operating costs and boost profitability.
Ford will implement cuts in the product development category in Europe. The company will utilize the development staff in the US for its European operations. It will also utilize the EV technology under license from Volkswagen AG.
The in-charge executive for the European electrifying operations, Martin Sander, said the job cuts will impact the skills, talent, and organizational structure needed for the future. Automakers and their vendors worldwide are focusing on a shift to affordable electric vehicles. It is also putting pressure on their profits. Ford reported a net loss of $2 billion in 2022 worldwide.
Mr. Sander said Ford will cut 2,300 jobs at its operations in Aachen and Cologne, Germany. The automaker will lay off 1,300 employees in its UK operations. Ford will invest $50 billion worldwide in the EV arm in the next few years.
