ALL OUT BAN ON INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES HAS BEEN DELAYED

It would appear that internal combustion engine in Europe may be endangered, but won’t go extinct quite yet. That’s because the European Union (EU) has recently delayed its vote to ban internal combustion engine powered vehicles for now. The decision for the delay came shortly after Germany expressed concerns of the implications on the auto industry should they mandate the sole production of all-electric automobiles. The concern was for the future, specifically after 2035 when the proposed engine ban was expected to be put in place.

In North America, some states are more ready than others, it would appear. One state (California) has ousted gasoline powered engines with legislation banning the sale of new ICE powered vehicles by 2035. The state home to Tesla has seemingly fully embraced an all-electric future. The idea is to creep closer to a more carbon friendly industry. On the topic of eco-friendliness the EU has goals to reduce greenhouse gasses by 55% this decade and become carbon neutral by 2050. That being said, many are reluctant to embrace e-fuels as a complete transportation strategy though calling on aviation and shipping industries to be considered an exception. In addition, the cost of producing all-electric vehicles isn’t cheap or fast. Many of the all-electric vehicles being produced now either have you endure long wait times for delivery or inflated sticker prices.

As mentioned in Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares recent sitdown with journalists in New York, EV production cost 40% more than internal combustion engine vehicles. He argues that in order to sustain an all-electric future there are important things to consider. Manufacturers should focus on making EV’s affordable, more efficient, and there should be an ability to recycle batteries further down the road. Perhaps Germany has subscribed to the same train of thought as Taveras and wants to make sure they can deliver on a promise or mandate before having to commit or abide by it. Either way, the internal combustion engine isn’t antiquated yet, at least for now.