German Based Engineering Association Says EU Plans To Ban ICE Vehicles Is Shortsighted

The European Commission’s plan to only allow battery and fuel cell electric vehicles on the European market from 2035 has been criticised by an expert group of mechanical engineers.

The Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) - a Frankfurt-based group of German and other European firms - says that fossil fuels are the problem, not internal combustion engine technology. It argues that the EU’s plan would put 160,000 powertrain jobs at risk in Europe and endanger the continent’s industrial strength.

Karl Haeusgen, president of the VDMA, said: “Instead of effectively banning the combustion engine by limiting all tailpipe emissions to zero, all climate-friendly drive options should be used.