Electric car news
The European automotive landscape is about to undergo a radical transformation. The European Union is firmly maintaining its course towards the total electrification of the automobile fleet by 2035. This decision, with serious consequences for the industry and consumers, raises many questions. Let's examine together the ins and outs of this announced revolution.
The planned end of thermal engines: an objective maintained
The recent declarations of two new European commissioners, Wopke Hoekstra (Climate) and Apostolos Tzitzikosta (Transport), confirm Brussels' desire to put an end to the sale of new thermal vehicles by 2035. This position, reaffirmed despite the renewal of the Commission, sends a strong signal to car manufacturers.
The automotive industry, accustomed to long-term planning, can now rely on this clear roadmap. The colossal investments necessary for the transition to electricity are thus justified in a stable and predictable regulatory framework.
Challenges to overcome for a successful transition
The transition to a 100% electric vehicle fleet raises numerous technical and logistical challenges. Among the priorities identified by the European commissioners, we find:
- Accelerating the deployment of charging infrastructure
- Strengthening the electricity network to support increased demand
- The development of a European high-performance battery sector
These titanic projects will require massive investmentsestimated at several hundred billion euros over the next decade. The European Commission is committed to creating a “viable economic environment” to support this change.
The impact on consumers and the industry
For you, future buyers, this transition raises legitimate questions. The price of electric vehicles, even higher than that of equivalent thermal models, constitutes an obstacle to mass adoption. However, technological progress and economies of scale should allow significant reduction in costs in the years to come.
The European automobile industry, with its 13.8 million direct and indirect jobs, will have to undergo profound change. Manufacturers will have to rethink their production chains and train their employees in new technologies. This transition could lead to job cuts in certain sectorsoffset by the creation of jobs in new sectors such as batteries.
The debate around synthetic fuels
If massive electrification seems inevitable, the door is not completely closed to alternative fuels. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the possibility of authorizing synthetic fuels after 2035. These fuels, produced from hydrogen and CO2 captured in the atmosphere, could offer a transition solution for certain specific vehicles.
However, their high production costs and low energy efficiency currently limit their large-scale development. Manufacturers will therefore have to concentrate as a priority on the electrification of their ranges.
Contrasted reactions from the automotive sector
Faced with this 2035 deadline, the reactions of manufacturers diverge. Some, like Volkswagen or Renault, have already largely anticipated this transition by investing massively in electric vehicles. Others, like BMW, are calling for a more gradual approach, fearing the social and economic consequences of a too rapid transition.
The NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) for its part calls on manufacturers to “recall their lobbyists” and to concentrate on the development of affordable electric cars. A major challenge, when the average price of an electric vehicle in Europe still exceeds 40,000 euros.
Towards a new era of European mobility
The European Union's decision to maintain its goal of total electrification for 2035 marks a historic turning point in the history of the automobile. This transition, if carried out successfully, could enable a significant reduction in CO2 emissions from the transport sector, responsible for nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe.
For you, European motorists, this decision implies rethinking your mobility habits. The autonomy of electric vehicles, constantly increasing, is already reaching values comparable to those of thermal vehicles. The Tesla Model S Plaid+, for example, displays a WLTP autonomy of 837 kilometerswhile the Lucid Air promises up to 837 kilometers of autonomy.
The recharge time, another crucial point, is also improving. Ultra-fast chargers now allow you to recover up to 300 kilometers of autonomy in 20 minutes on some models. These technological advances, coupled with the massive deployment of charging infrastructure, should remove the final obstacles to the mass adoption of electric vehicles.
The electric revolution is underway, and Europe intends to be at the forefront of it. This transition, as ambitious as it is, is not without risks and challenges. It nevertheless offers a unique opportunity to rethink our mobility and build a more sustainable future for future generations.
Written by Albert Lecoq
Specialist in electric car buying guides, I am passionate about new technologies and am a strong supporter of the adoption of electric technology and sustainable mobility.
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