Volvo among companies calling for EU to end petrol and diesel car sales by 2035

The EU is being pressured to introduce a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2025 but 27 companies, including car maker Volvo.

The proposed ban would be similar to the one introduced by the UK Government last year, which will see an end to sale of all petrol and diesel cars without a “significant zero-emissions range” by 2030.

Anders Kärrberg, head of global sustainability at Volvo Cars, said: “By planning to become a fully electric car company by 2030, Volvo Cars intends to set the pace in the transition to zero emission mobility within our industry. But clear governmental direction and support is also needed to accelerate this transition. In this respect, Volvo Cars is pleased to join this call for the European Commission to propose an end date on new sales of internal combustion engine vehicles within the EU by 2035. Additional measures are also needed to increase EU consumer demand for electrified vehicles, including the rapid development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure.”

Other companies supporting the ban include IKEA, LeasPlan Sky and Uber. They say a fixed date will send a clear investment signal for car manufacturers, supply chains and infrastructure providers and will enable all businesses to decarbonise their vehicle fleets.

Setting a CO2 target for vehicle manufacturers of 0g/km by 2035 would enshrine the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars - including hybrids - in law, the companies say.

The EU Commission will propose new targets in June as part of its “Fit for 55” package of legislation, which is intended to put the EU on track to cut overall emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Julia Poliscanova, senior director for vehicles and emobility at Transport & Environment, said: “Electrification of cars and vans is inevitable for the climate, consumers and for Europe’s industrial strategy. Businesses now want clarity on the speed of the transition to plan and prepare. Only EU lawmakers can provide it by naming the date for the end of combustion engine cars and vans sales.”