In a landmark verdict, European lawmakers voted in favour of banning vehicles that run on gasoline and diesel by the year 2035..The EU parliament also rejected attempts to water down Emission Trading System targets, while calling for a methodology to assess the full life-cycle of CO2 emissions..The EU Parliament supported revised CO2 emissions standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles as part of the EU Fit for 55 in 2030 package. This unprecedented emissions reduction plan is aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change.."The European Parliament has backed an ambitious revision of the targets for 2030 — bringing down greenhouse gas emissions to 55% from 1990 levels — and supported a 100% target for 2035, which is crucial to reach climate neutrality by 2050," said Netherlands European Member of Parliament Jan Huitema..Legislators, including Huitema, overwhelmingly voted for the revised emissions standards — 339 votes for, and 249 against with 24 abstentions.."With these standards, we're creating clarity for the car industry and can stimulate innovation and investments for car manufacturers,” Huitema said yesterday..The European Parliament’s vote effectively rejected the proposal of the centre-right European People's Party to instead limit CO2 emissions to 90% with a fixed phaseout date..Their proposal also included a 55% cut in CO2 emissions by 2030 from 2021 levels.."With the adopted text, which constitutes Parliament’s position to negotiate with member states, MEPs support the commission’s proposal to reach zero-emission road mobility by 2035 — an EU fleet-wide target to reduce the emissions produced by new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles by 100% compared to 2021. Intermediate emissions reduction targets for 2030 would be set at 55% for cars and 50% for vans," adds the statement..Huitema stressed that an ambitious revision of CO2 standards is crucial to reaching climate goals.."With these standards, we are creating clarity for the car industry and can stimulate innovation and investments for car manufacturers," he said, adding that it'll be less expensive for people to buy zero-emission cars in Europe..The proposal aims to augment the EU’s 2030 and 2050 climate objectives. Its goal is to benefit Europeans by promoting zero-emission vehicles more broadly..Legislators hope to improve air quality, create energy savings, and lower energy costs for vehicle owners, as well as to stimulate innovation in zero-emission technologies..Parliamentarians will now begin discussions with EU states as a next step.
