Carmakers Ford and Volvo Cars join 26 other companies in public call to EU legislators ahead of crucial votes that could ensure all new cars and vans in Europe are zero emission from 2035 and to establish mandatory charging infrastructure targets.

The collation agrees that the deadline for new fossil fuel engines is needed to ensure the last cars and vans powered by internal combustion engines are off the road by 2050 – when the EU is required to reach net-zero emissions. The vehicle manufacturers, which together sold around 800,000 cars in Europe last year, appealed to EU lawmakers in a joint letter today signed with 26 other companies which represent a wide range of industries.

While 15 car brands have voluntarily pledged to only sell electric cars in Europe in the next decade, but the signatories want EU decision makers to mirror this in regulation. The letter is addressed to MEPs and EU governments as they decide on new clean car rules including a proposal by the EU Commission that only zero-emission new cars and vans – and not hybrids – can be sold EU-wide from 2035. The signatories explicitly support this EU Commission proposal.

The European Parliament and EU governments will decide their positions on the 2035 zero-emissions vehicles target in June. Following negotiations, the final law is expected to be adopted in autumn.

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