As soon as she took office, the re-elected President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has stated that it will maintain its objective to sell only new electric cars from 2035 in Europe. However, relaxing the position it has held until now with synthetic fuels, it has assured that “will make a change to automotive policy to allow e-fuels”.
With this move, the German could please the four parties that have put her back at the head of the European Executive, which are so opposed to each other on some issues. In fact, opening the door to e-fuels was one of the aspirations of the European People’s Party (EPP), to which Von der Leyen herself belongs. But other priorities of the EPP are left out.
How the new European Executive will affect the automotive sector
Ursula Von der Leyen remains at the head of the European Executive after the last elections, thanks to the 401 MEPs who voted in favour of her (284 against and 15 abstentions which count as a vote against). The new majority, made up of four groups, has leaned towards the left, and not to the right as many might have assumed what would happen.
It was not easy at first, but Von der Leyen has managed to bring together members of the EPP, who see her as a member of their party committed to their priorities, and also the Socialists (S&D), the liberals of Renew Europe or the ecologists of the Greens, because He has promised to include some of their key proposals in all of them.
As regards the European automotive industry, the President will not for the moment review the ban on the sale of new petrol or diesel cars and vans by 2035 as the EPP wanted, but, as she herself has announced, will open the door to e-fuels or synthetic fuels that could save millions of combustion vehicles.
Although this is a relief for many European drivers, synthetic fuels or e-fuels, with their advantages and disadvantages, still have many obstacles to becoming the lifeline to keep combustion engines from dying just yet.
We must remember that synthetic fuels or e-fuels are liquid fuels, similar to common hydrocarbons like the gasoline or diesel we use today, but unlike these, they do not come from fossil energy sources. In addition, they have similar physicochemical properties to current fuels, so they can be used in thermal engines without the need for complex adaptations as is the case with hydrogen, for example.
It is also useful to current fuel distribution and storage chain. However, e-fuel production is still a complex process with many intermediate stages, which relies on renewable energy to make sense. And that is not cheap. At least not until they are produced in larger volumes than they are now.
Despite the tests currently being carried out by major oil companies such as BP, Shell and Repsol and the projects that have been underway for years by manufacturers such as Porsche, Audi, BMW and Toyota, among others, there are no e-fuels for everyone at the moment, nor are there expected to be any in the near future.
Other challenges in mind for Europe in the next five years
Beyond synthetic fuels, the next five years present numerous challenges for Ursula von der Leyen, who is seeking stability at a time when several European leaders are facing significant political challenges at home.
In this regard, before being re-elected Von der Leyen had already promised to maintain the EU’s climate ambitions, improve competitiveness and strengthen defence industries. In addition, she announced that In his first 100 days he would implement a “clean industrial agreement” to boost European manufacturing, and said the next Commission will pave the way for a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040.
In the face of conflicts in and around Europe, the President stressed the need for a “strong Europe in a period of deep anxiety and uncertainty”. Other issues of concern include the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and trade tensions between the EU and China.
Likewise, the block will strive to achieve its ambitious climate goals and define how to implement themwhile facing the threat of a trade confrontation with China and the possible re-election of Donald Trump to the White House, which could weaken the efforts of Ukraine’s allies in their fight against Russia.
Source: www.motorpasion.com
