Italy Rejects The Prohibition Of ICE Car Sales In The European Union, Says It Can Shake The Automotive Industry

Maserati MC20 Iris and Quattroporte Grand Finale. (Doc. Stellantis)

JAKARTA - The European Union (EU) has set an ambitious target to stop the sale of conventional fuel cars (ICE) by 2035. This decision was initially welcomed because of its great environmental benefits. However, now the policy has sparked mixed reactions.

One of the countries that vocally reject other than Germany is Italy. The Italian government has explicitly asked the EU to cancel this policy, citing threats to their automotive industry.

"The ban on combustion engine cars by 2035 is unreasonable and needs to be reviewed," said Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, as reported by Reuters, Thursday, September 12.

Block 27 of this country plans to ban all ICE car sales by 2035. This policy will force member countries to stop selling plug-in hybrid (PHEV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and diesel. The remaining options are only electric cars (EVs) and hydrogen-fuel cells (FCEVs).

Italy considers that this policy limits consumer choice, even though other competing technologies also have the potential to support the transition to decarbonization. Currently, Italian manufacturers such as Fiat, Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini are introducing their EV models, although they have to face stiff competition from brands from China and Germany.

Not only is Italy skeptical, previously BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse also voiced his criticism, calling the EU's ban a tactic to accelerate the development of synthetic fuels or e-fuels.

Will the EU stick to its stance or listen to protests from automaker countries? Time will tell.