EU market commissioner encourages ICE vehicle exports as if global climate change doesn’t affect Europe
EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton is publicly urging automakers to consider continuing internal combustion engine vehicle production over fears of lost jobs and a future in which middle class consumers cannot afford EVs. Breton may want the EU to remain a “export force” in combustion vehicles, but will anyone still be interested in them as more and more countries set expiries in order to combat the vicious acceleration of global climate change?
While Thierry Breton does not speak for the entire EU commission, his recent comments are a bit discouraging to hear from an environmentalist sense, and his reasoning for such fears lacks substance. Just over a week ago, the EU Commission of which Breton is a key member of, signed an official ban on new combustion vehicle sales by 2035, solidifying a market shift that has long been debated and waffled over.
It is currently a task to find single location on Earth where you can’t notice some evidence of climate change – and carbon emissions from combustion vehicles have been identified as a massive contributor around the world.
Automakers around the world (in EU markets and beyond) have already begun following the lead of their respective governments and are vowing to go all-electric over the next 10-15 years with hopes of significantly reducing carbon emissions. So, why are we suddenly talking about more combustion all of a sudden?
As Internal Market Commissioner for the EU, Thierry Breton is merely doing his job and is worried about the future economy if it’s dominated by EV production, but what’s the sense in worrying about the economy if there isn’t a inhabitable planet for it to operate on?
EU market commissioner wants to push back 2035 deadline
In a recent interview with French outlet Les Echoes, the EU market commissioner shared an interesting view on the future of the automotive industry and fears things are moving too quickly. Per the interview:
I respect the fact that some are deciding to accelerate toward a 100 percent electric offer, but I also encourage manufacturers to continue to produce internal combustion cars, generate quality jobs and remain an export force.
Obviously Breton didn’t get to his position in the EU by accident, so we are not here to necessarily discredit his arguments about the affect mass-EV adoption will certainly have on the global economy. That being said, his fears feel a bit like they’ve been dipped in “FUD.” First, one could argue that EV production can create plenty of quality (albeit different) jobs as well.
These are jobs that can be assisted by AI and robotics that are less physically strenuous on employees. Breton went on to say that the transition to EVs could cost an industry that currently employs roughly 13 million people about 600,000 jobs. For perspective here, that is less than 5%. Any number of jobs lost should be taken seriously of course, but we’re not talking about a paradigm shift in the automotive work force by going electric. We will still need millions and millions of people to build them.
Breton’s argument about remaining an “export force” for ICE vehicles is a bit of a head scratcher as well. Aside from the EU – Breton’s own organization – major markets like North America and Asia have set similar end dates to combustion sales. So who’s buying these exports after 2035?
Breton’s solution is to push back the 2035 ban date to allow longer combustion production for those EU consumers who “will not be able to buy cars that cost 30,000 euros.” We’d imagine EVs will cost quite a bit less thirteen years from now, but Breton doesn’t necessarily see it that way.
He stated he is already planning a 2026 review thanks to a clause in the recently signed EU deal that he insisted on adding. From there, he can work on furthering his strategy to push the 2035 deadline back. Breton also shared plans to form a group that will include automakers that will meet regularly over the next four years to strategize.
Wonder if Toyota’s already signed up? Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has been another publicly vocal figure sharing uncertainty about the 2035 deadline and what it could do to the EU automotive market. Perhaps that company joins Breton’s group, despite recently vowing to go all-electric after stating, “the people have decided.”
We think the people have definitely decided that a 2035 ban on new combustion is the right thing to do, if not sooner. Let’s hope these skeptics begin to believe as well.
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On today’s informative episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got Honda engineers Jason Hwang and Emilio Sanchez to talk us through some of the things that make the GM Ultium-based Honda Prologue EV feel like a real Honda, and why that matters.
Jason and Emilio talk about some of the choices they made to make the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX feel different from its GM-branded cousins, and explain why this was much more than a case of badge-engineering. Give it a listen, then let us know what you think of the Prologue and ZDX in the comments.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Learn more by clicking here.
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Read more: All my favorite EVs, racecars, and robots from Electrify Expo Austin.
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The first EV charging hub funded by the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program in the Eastern US is now online in Deerfield, Massachusetts.
The town installed the region’s first DC fast chargers (four ports), along with four Level 2 chargers, at 59 North Main Street in South Deerfield.
These new charging stations, funded with $2.46 million from the CFI program, are conveniently located near Interstate 91 in Franklin County, the most rural county in Massachusetts, which serves drivers from Connecticut up to the Canadian border.
The hub also features local and regional bus stops and designated bike lanes with secure onsite bike racks. The chargers are meant to cater to everyone: from local residents and visitors to municipal EVs and commercial vehicles that service the region’s businesses, like those in food and beverage manufacturing.
Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, sees this as a model for future projects:
Multi-modal charging hubs in communities are key to giving more people the choice to ride and drive electric. The Town of Deerfield is showing leadership in building out convenient charging infrastructure that brings new transportation choices to rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local commerce.
In recent years, Deerfield has experienced increased climate change-driven flooding from nearby rivers, including the Deerfield River, the Connecticut River, and the Bloody Brook. The project incorporates environmental engineering designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of flooding and climate, including the installation of permeable asphalt and rain gardens, planting of native trees, grasses, and shrubs, and the creation of new greenspace in the center of Deerfield.
The Biden-Harris administration’s CFI Grant Program is expanding EV infrastructure nationwide. It offers grants for projects that complement and expand upon the initiatives of the NEVI program in urban, rural, and disadvantaged and low-income communities. So far, the CFI Grant Program has allocated over $1 billion to nearly 100 projects across the US, encouraging private investments and expanding the EV charging network to make EV ownership more practical and convenient.
Read more: The US reaches milestone of 200,000+ public EV charging ports
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Kia’s upcoming EV4 electric sedan was just spotted testing in the US for the first time. The low-cost EV is expected to make its big debut by the end of the year. Here’s a look at the new model.
The EV4 will round out Kia’s new “EVs for all” master plan launched last year. Kia showcased three new models, the EV3, EV4, and EV5, during its first annual EV Day in October 2023.
During the event, Kia outlined its new global strategy to “lead and accelerate the EV revolution” with a wide range of models priced from $30,000 to $80,000.
Kia plans to rapidly expand its lineup with a series of smaller, lower-priced models. It launched the EV9, its first three-row electric SUV, which is already proving to be a hot seller in the US. Starting at under $55,000, the EV9 is still a great deal compared to others in its class, but Kia plans to go even lower.
The EV3 and EV4 are expected to be among the most affordable electric vehicles when they arrive in the US.
Kia’s new EV4 is now testing in the US
Ahead of its official debut, Kia’s new EV4 sedan was recently caught driving on US streets for the first time.
The latest image from KindelAuto doesn’t reveal much more than what’s been shown in the past, but the fact that it’s now testing in the US is significant.
Kia’s EV3 is already on sale in Korea, starting at around $30,000 (42.08 million won). Earlier this week, the company said its new compact SUV is now available across Europe, starting at around $38,000 (36,000 euros) with a “segment-leading range” of up to 375 miles (WLTP).
Next up will be the EV4. Kia is expected to officially reveal the new EV by the end of the year, with deliveries starting in 2025. It could be as soon as next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show.
The interior will feature Kia’s advanced new ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3″ navigation and driver display screens. An otherwise minalimalistic design is expected inside.
Kia’s EV4 will also be available in a hatchback variant. Although the hatch is likely aimed at European buyers, it was also recently spotted testing in the US for the first time.
We will learn official prices closer to launch, but the EV4 is expected to start at around $35,000 to $40,000.
Kia is teasing five new vehicles for the US, at least one being a new EV, that will debut at the LA Auto Show next week. Will it be the EV3? EV4?
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