The European Parliament approved a new plan for a greener future on Feb. 14. The bill will ban the sale of new cars and vans that run on gasoline or diesel fuel by 2035. It is part of a much larger effort to reduce pollution and carry out the European Union’s ambitious plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The main aim of the new law is to push car makers to accelerate the transition to producing electric vehicles. While many car companies are already making the transition, the new law, according to Jan Huitema, one of the leaders behind the plan, conveys the EU’s goals to car makers and will help countries direct their money and efforts to fulfill those goals.
Supporters of the bill claim the new plan would give European carmakers a clear timeframe to switch production to zero-emission electric vehicles and spur investment to counter competition from China and the United States. Karima Delli, president of the transport committee, declared, “Today’s vote is a historic vote for the ecological transition.”
Cars currently account for about 15 percent of all CO2 emissions in the EU, while transportation overall accounts for around a quarter. As the EU represents 27 countries, this decision will impact the rest of the world. Let’s see how other countries will react.
Sean Jung Director
1. When is the deadline for the ban on the sale of new cars and vans that run on gasoline or diesel fuel?
2. What is the main aim of the new law?
3. Why do supporters of the bill claim that it will spur investment to counter competition from China and the United States?
1. What do you think about the new law approved by the European Parliament? Do you think it will be effective in reducing pollution and achieving climate neutrality by 2050?
2. Do you think other countries should follow the EU's example and ban the sale of new cars and vans that run on gasoline or diesel fuel by a certain deadline? Why or why not?
3. What other measures do you think the EU or other countries can take to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve climate neutrality by 2050?
4. How do you think this decision by the EU will impact the rest of the world, especially developing countries that heavily rely on gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicles?
The European Parliament approved a new plan for a greener future on Feb. 14. The bill will ban the sale of new cars and vans that run on gasoline or diesel fuel by 2035. It is part of a much larger effort to reduce pollution and carry out the European Union’s ambitious plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
