Italy is demanding that the EU cancel the phase-out of combustion engines by 2035 – what’s the level of this?

Essay by Eric Worrall

“… the ideological vision has failed. We must recognize that …”

Italy wants to lift EU ban on combustion engines by 2035

By Alberto Brambilla, September 7, 2024 at 11:45 a.m. EDT

Bloomberg) – Italian officials said the European Union’s plan to ban the sale of new internal combustion engines from 2035 needs to be reviewed.

“The ban must be changed,” said Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin on Saturday on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio on Italy’s Lake Como.

Pichetto Fratin described the EU's decision as “absurd” and dictated by an “ideological vision” and a state-controlled approach to policy-making within the bloc. The plan must be modified to take into account the different market realities in the face of the slowdown of the European car industry, he added.

Industry Minister Adolfo Urso also supported a change and called on the new European Commission to bring forward the review of the plan from 2026 to early 2025. “In an uncertain environment affecting the German automotive industry, clarity is needed to prevent the European industry from collapsing,” Urso said in Cernobbio.

“Europe needs a pragmatic vision. The ideological vision has failed. We must recognise that,” he added.

…

Read more: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/investing/2024/09/07/italy-wants-reversal-of-eus-planned-2035-combustion-engine-ban/

I don't know how many people would agree that Italy pretty much invented the luxury car industry, but they sure have played a big part in it and continue to do so. The thought that they would give up such beauty, such an exquisite pursuit of perfection, has always been a nightmare propagated by cheerless left-wing green ideologues.

Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari was one of the first to reject the electric car mandate. Last year, it publicly announced its opposition to the electric car mandate, likely saving itself from sharing the financial losses of its more gullible competitors, most of whom blindly staked the future financial viability of their companies on the promises of politicians.

Aside from the fact that many people simply don't want an electric vehicle, there are other considerations.

There are around 11 million electric vehicles in Europe, out of a total of around 250 million. Even if Europe managed to convince every single one of these 250 million vehicles to swap their combustion engine vehicle for an electric vehicle, this would place a huge additional burden on a grid that is already struggling to maintain energy supplies in winter.

Let us hope that the EU capitulates to necessity sooner rather than later.

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