The expected “Boom” of electric cars collides with Euro 7 fears

The European Association of Manufacturers ACEA believes that future European regulation will be counterproductive as it risks delaying the transition to zero-emission transport

the market of
cars and SUVs closed 2022 with a total of 813,396 units sold, down 5.4%. This figure is below industry forecasts, which were around 830,000 units. The difficulties in transporting vehicles to dealers have resulted in thousands of cars being stopped in ports and fields, delaying delivery to buyers.

In any case, 2022 was a difficult year for car sales, characterized by factors such as the war in Ukraine, the increase in energy and fuel costs or the increase in inflation and interest rates that
the purchase decision of users, according to the assessment of the Anfac Manufacturers Association.

All hopes are pinned on a recovery through 2023, although the hopes of the government and
manufacturers forecasts of vehicles in Europe seem to be taking deviating paths at the beginning of the year.

Said the Third Vice President and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge,
Teresa Riberaexpects there to be a “significant boom in electric vehicle penetration in Spain” in the coming months, although it believes that this type of car should also become cheaper.

Ribera pointed out at a meeting organized by the Dialogues for Democracy Club that there has been a “stop” in electric vehicle penetration over the past two years. That “stop” occurred, according to Ribera, “when all auto employers were already convinced that (the electric vehicle) was
the major strategic commitment to modernization and transformation, and to generate attractiveness for investment by the parent companies of automotive companies in Spain.

According to the minister, one of the main barriers to greater penetration of electric vehicles in the country are prices, battery autonomy and charging infrastructure. As for the prices, he has joked about it
When could the “600 electric” arrive in Spain?that is, “an affordable model that could popularize electric technology.”

These good expectations on the part of the Spanish government collide head-on with the figures, as the national market, with 78,329 electrified cars sold in 2022, falls short of the target of 120,000 units needed to meet the PNIEC’s emission reduction targets for 2030.

The electrified market in Spain is improving compared to the previous year, but the rate of entry is slow and
represents only 8.8% of the total market, far from the European average. Germany is the arena with the highest volume in Europe. In 2022, the country closed with a 1.1% growth in its sales figures, with 2.65 million registrations. Of these, 362,093 were plug-in hybrids and 470,559 were pure electric, with market shares of 13.7% and 17.7% respectively.

But also in Germany and in the countries where electrification is the majority, the first setbacks for the electric car are occurring, as a result of the energy crisis caused by the war in Uncrania. For example, the German electricity companies warn of additional overload, as the charging of electric cars at public charging points will be added to that of private individuals in their home chargers, and
heating both in homes and in commercial establishments. One possible solution is looking at limiting the charging capacity at private chargers, which would greatly reduce the attractiveness of electric cars, which would have to resort to more expensive public charging points.

At
the Swiss Federal Council announced on November 23, 2022 a series of measures to save energy in the event of a possible lack of supplies due to the war in Ukraine. Although it is still a sketch for the time being, the limitation of the use of electric cars is being considered. In the worst case, the Swiss government is considering not allowing the private use of electric vehicles, except for absolutely necessary trips (for example, to go to work, to go shopping or to the doctor, religious events or legal appointments).

In France, it is also envisaged to limit the charging of this type of vehicle to certain hours on weekdays, between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., the operator said.
the French electricity gridRTE, in case the energy crisis worsens.

A new setback has put the car manufacturers grouped in ACEA on edge, because although almost all brands are focusing their efforts on expansion
its ranges of electric and electrified vehiclesFrom their point of view, the plans for decarbonisation drawn up by the European Union may have an effect that is opposite to what is desired.

According to the Director General of the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers,
Sigrid deVries“European regulations on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions threaten to slow down the path towards a low-carbon car sector”.

De Vries was referring to the agreement between the European Commission, the Council of
the European Union and the European Parliament which bans the commercialization of internal combustion engine vehicles in the European Union (EU) from 2035 and the Euro 7 regulation which limits pollutant emission standards for cars and vans.

In this sense, De Vries warns that the tripartite agreement “requires cumbersome investments in electrification”, while
the Euro 7 proposal it represents “a heavy outlay for the internal combustion engine”.

Regarding the ban on the marketing of combustion engine vehicles in the EU from 2035, De Vries considers it an “unprecedented decision”
meaning that the EU is the “first and only” region of the world where cars will be fully electric. As for the Euro 7 proposal, they have considered ACEA to be a “counterproductive” measure because “there is a risk that it will delay the transition to zero-emission transport”.

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.