Who said the European Union is a boring institution? In recent weeks, however, it has been the scene of a soap opera with twists and turns, with as central plot a subject that interests all citizens of the Old Continent: the switch to the 100% electric car from 2035. A little reminder of the facts? Wanting to be at the forefront of the fight against climate change, Europe had decided to no longer allow the sale of vehicles emitting no CO2035 from 2. In other words, 100% electric cars. Many had the foresight to feel that it was putting the cart before the horse, since this decision did not seem to worry about the necessary electricity production, the real ecological impact (production of the electric car, extraction of materials, etc.), access to mobility for citizens, or the fact that it was giving the keys to the automotive industry to China. Everything was ready for the text to become law after the final vote in committee. But at the last moment, two heavyweights joined the camp of the sceptical countries: Italy and, above all, Germany. Big grain of sand in the European machine...

Victory of common sense

The main demand of the "cons": that the use of CO2035-neutral synthetic fuels be authorized after 2, and therefore the marketing of combustion engines. After weeks of talking, Germany and its allies won their case. The agreement reached with the Commission will indeed allow the marketing of combustion engines "provided that they use exclusively synthetic fuels". This is a stinging setback for European technocrats, and a victory both for common sense, and for consumers, who would not have been able to afford an electric car, or perhaps only products from China. Now, we are waiting to see if after the backpedaling of Europe, will follow that of the manufacturers who have vowed full electrification...


  • Car
  • BOS
  • European Commission
  • Electric car
  • Fuels