Spain calls for maintaining the ban on combustion engines in 2035
Brussels – The third vice president and minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, has asked Brussels not to delay the end of the marketing of combustion vehicles planned for 2035, as requested by other countries such as Germany, just hours before the European Commission presents its review of the already agreed ‘roadmap’.
In statements made before the EU Environment Council of Ministers, Aagesen stressed that Spain has been “consistent” with the position it has been defending and recalled the letter recently sent by the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in which he advocated maintaining the commitments already undertaken.
“We believe that we must continue with this ‘roadmap’ that was drawn up with the aim of ending the marketing of combustion vehicles in 2035,” the minister emphasized, who considers that keeping to the established timetable is also key to providing “clear signals” to industry, at a time of high economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
The minister pointed out that light vehicles are responsible for around 15% of the Union’s total emissions, so advancing their decarbonization responds to a “responsibility” in terms of the fight against climate change.
Aagesen noted that, despite the flexibilities introduced by the Commission, it is important to respect the defined commitments in order to guarantee stability for both investors and citizens.
The minister also highlighted the need to continue promoting greener corporate fleets and to facilitate access to smaller and more affordable vehicles, with accessible prices, so that the transition reaches all citizens, an area in which she admitted there is still work to be done.
The Environment Council of Ministers, the last of the year under the Danish presidency, will also address the European bioeconomy strategy and the conclusions on the state of the environment looking ahead to 2030, with special attention to adaptation to climate change and the circular economy. (16 December)
