Renault asks for more time
The transition to electric mobility is one of the great challenges of the 21st century. With the European Union announcing the end of thermal cars in 2035, the countdown has begun for car manufacturers. However, for Luca de Meo, the CEO of the Renault group, this deadline seems too close.
The obligatory transition to the electric car announced for 2035 by the European Union is not unanimous among car manufacturers. Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault group, expressed his discomfort with this deadline.
After having certainly worked for the introduction of an environmental score limiting the ecological bonus, with the aim of curbing the expansion of Asian, particularly Chinese, and American manufacturers, the Renault group has made a new request. The French group is under pressure from brands like Tesla and BYD, which offer electric vehicles at lower costs, thus making competition more intense.
The French firm wants the European Union to postpone the ban on the sale of thermal cars for five years, i.e. until 2040.
For the CEO, this additional time is crucial to allow a smooth transition to a range of 100% electric cars. He fears that too abrupt a transition will lead to a real industrial and economic disaster. This sentiment is widely shared by other European automotive players, such as the head of the Stellantis group (Peugeot, Citroen, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, etc.) and the head of Volkswagen, who have expressed similar concerns about the making this transition.
Concern over the Euro 7 standard
Moreover, Luca de Meo is also reluctant to introduce the Euro 7 standard. ” Euro 7 makes no sense from any point of view. The rules must be completely changed. It is absolutely impossible for engines to meet Euro 7 limits in 2025 with regulations not yet developed. It can’t be done “, did he declare.
The Euro 7 standard is an environmental regulation provided by the European Union to reduce pollutant emissions from vehicles. These standards, which change regularly, aim to limit emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particles. The Euro 7 standard, which is due to come into force in 2025provides for even more severe restrictions.
Environmental issues
While the Renault group’s request for a postponement is justified by industrial and economic constraints, it could nevertheless prove harmful to the environment. Postponing the ban on thermal cars for five years means prolonging the emission of greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants for another five years.
Indeed, even if electric cars are not exempt from criticism from an environmental point of view, due in particular to the impact of their production and the challenge of recycling them, they remain much less polluting than their thermal counterparts, especially when the electricity that supplies them is of renewable origin.
In view of the climate emergency facing us, the idea of pushing back an already distant deadline seems irrational. Climate change, indeed, is upsetting all of humanity, and its impacts are increasingly felt. It is therefore crucial to accelerate the transition to more sustainable mobility, rather than delay it.
