Future of EU Car Regulations: Italy Calls For Reassessment

Italy's industry minister, Adolfo Urso, urges the European Union to reconsider regulations banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. Speaking at the TEHA business forum, Urso emphasizes the need for an early reassessment in 2024, while Italy's government advocates for more flexibility in meeting decarbonisation targets.

Italy's Industry Minister, Adolfo Urso, has called on the European Union to reconsider its regulation that bans the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the bloc by 2035. Speaking on the sidelines of the TEHA business forum in Cernobbio, Urso suggested moving the intermediate assessment, initially set for 2026, to the beginning of next year.

Urso stated, 'I think this should be the first issue the new European Commission deals with, because companies and workers need clarity.' According to the current EU law, new cars sold after 2035 must have zero carbon emissions, effectively prohibiting the sale of fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

The right-wing Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, believes member states should have more freedom in choosing their technology to meet decarbonisation targets. Italy's Energy Minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, echoed this sentiment, calling the 2035 ban 'absurd and needs to be revised.'

(With inputs from agencies.)