Volvo Joins Industrialists' Call for EU to Stick to 2035 ICE Ban

As regulators ponder the possibilities of carbon-neutral fuels in future vehicles, Volvo joins a call for the EU to maintain its 2035 deadline to restrict sales of new internal-combustion-engine vehicles.
News that it joins a group of industrial manufacturers making the call comes despite the Chinese-owned Swedish automaker's recent commitment to keep producing hybrid vehicles beyond its previous goal to be an exclusively battery-electric-vehicle maker by 2030, Bloomberg reports.

At the same time, the Europe’s two biggest automakers, Volkswagen and Stellantis, are keeping their own counsel as the Italian government becomes more vocal on supporting an amendment to the EU ICE ban to allow carbon-neutral fuels. A decision on that amendment is due in 2026.

Fifty companies are calling on the EU to stick to the original total ICE ban arguing that industry needs certainty to plan future investments.

Volvo Car’s CEO Jim Rowan says: “Electrification is the single biggest action our industry can take to cut its carbon footprint. The 2035 target is crucial to align all stakeholders on this journey and ensure European competitiveness.”

The group of companies signing the open declaration to the EU include BEV maker Rivian and ride-hailing company Uber. VW, Stellantis and BMW did not sign the document.

Volvo’s statement fits with its long-term goal to produce only BEVs. It is also owned by the Chinese auto group, Geely, and China dominates global ownership of the vital ingredients currently needed by the battery packs powering BEVs.

Meanwhile, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the policy was symptomatic of the EU’s “self-destructive approach” to rule-making. The country wants Brussels to bring forward a planned 2026 review to early next year and allow an exemption for biofuels to be used in new ICE vehicles.