Italy among countries backing amendment to European ruling on gas-powered sales

The decision of the European Parliament to end combustion sales by 2035 is already facing opposition from within the Union. 

After the decision of the European Parliament earlier this month to end sales of new combustion vehicles by 2035, that decision has come under criticism. 

Moto.it is now reporting that some countries within the European Union are pushing for that date to be moved back to 2040. 

According to Moto.it, an amendment to the European Parliament’s approved text confirming the end of combustion sales by 2035 is being circulated that would see the date pushed to 2040, and already has the signatures of Bulgaria, Portugal, Slovakia and Romania, and is also supported by Italy.

The amendment would also call for an increase in gradual action to achieve a 100% emissions reduction. In theory, gradual actions over a long period of time would work in the same way as the abrupt cut off for combustion sales, but as we have seen over the past 30 or 40 years, the concept and proposal of gradual actions is much more agreeable than the actions themselves. 

There are also things that Italy would like to change that would benefit itself, particularly concerning the production of small-scale production vehicles, commercial vehicles, and vehicles powered by biofuels. 

Of course, small-scale production vehicles are almost the ‘unique selling point’ of Italian manufacturing. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Ducati, MV Agusta, Aprilia, all specialise in the creation of exclusive vehicles, and are a major contribution not only to the financial economy of Italy, but also its cultural economy. 

Even if it is a selfish thing - and, this is essentially arguing for the rights of rich people to be able to continue to burn fossil fuels while those who cannot afford a Ferrari, for example, are forced to electrics - it is understandable for Italy to try to protect some of its most famous and historical brands in this way. 

The amendment being pushed by the aforementioned countries would extend the 100% emissions reduction goal by five years, from 2035 to 2040, with a new target of 90% for 2035. Furthermore, Moto.it reports that this would be in conjunction with a protection of “niche productions” from 2029, and the extension of low-emissions incentives after 2029. 

It is important to remember that, from the two-wheeled perspective, the European Parliament has not yet made a ruling on motorcycles and when the sales of combustion bikes should stop in the EU, but should this amendment that is supported by the aforementioned countries be passed, it should be assumed that any planned ruling on motorcycles would also have to be adapted to the amendment. 

On the positive side, the amendment would mean that high-performance combustion vehicles would stick around for longer. On the negative side, the amendment confirms that many people still think about climate change with the mentality of “short term gains for long term pain,” rather than the opposite.

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