EU Auditors Raise Doubts About Feasibility of Proposed Ban on Combustion Engine Vehicles

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has expressed doubts about the feasibility of the European Union's proposed ban on internal combustion engine vehicles. In a recent report, the ECA found that the EU's efforts to force car manufacturers to produce more energy-efficient cars with lower carbon dioxide emissions have so far failed to deliver any real-world reductions in CO2 from new cars.

The report states that electric cars are the only viable option to achieve a zero-emission car fleet, but the EU faces significant challenges in transitioning to electric vehicles. The ECA highlighted that Europe is lagging behind China in electric car battery production, and the EU must reconcile its Green Deal with its industrial policy and economic sovereignty.

EU auditors cautioned that the EU's industrial sovereignty is at risk if it adheres to a 2035 ban on petrol and diesel cars without addressing its dependency on overseas suppliers for raw materials and batteries needed to produce electric vehicles. The auditors say the 2035 emissions standard would mean electric cars are the only viable alternative, despite claims that biofuels and e-fuels could allow the continued use of internal combustion engines.

Why this matters: The EU's proposed ban on combustion engine vehicles has far-reaching implications for the automotive industry, consumers, and the environment. The feasibility and challenges of transitioning to an all-electric car fleet raise questions about the EU's ability to meet its ambitious climate goals while maintaining its economic competitiveness and industrial sovereignty.

The ECA also warned that electric car prices need to halve to ensure they are adopted by the mass market, and the EU faces a difficult challenge to turn things around in the space of just a few years. The auditors acknowledge the need for the EU to update its strategy on securing critical raw materials for battery production, as the EU remains dependent on a limited number of countries for these materials. They warn that Europe's green policy could backfire, as the EU may not meet the 2035 target or only do so by importing cars from China and the US.

The auditors deny any political motive behind their warning, stating it is a synthesis of four coherent issues. "The EU must reconcile its Green Deal with its industrial policy and economic sovereignty," the report emphasizes. As the EU navigates the challenges of transitioning to a zero-emission car fleet, it will need to address the concerns raised by the ECA to ensure the feasibility and success of its proposed ban on combustion engine vehicles.

Key Takeaways

• ECA doubts feasibility of EU's proposed ban on internal combustion vehicles.
• EU lags behind China in electric car battery production, raising sovereignty concerns.
• Electric cars are only viable option, but prices need to halve for mass adoption.
• EU faces challenges securing critical raw materials for battery production.
• ECA warns EU's green policy could backfire, missing 2035 target or relying on imports.