New EU transport commissioner wants to stick to 2035 ban on ICE vehicles

The new commissioner for sustainable transport in the European Union, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, says he wants to stick to the 2035 ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

“We have specific rules and goals that we want … and we have to stick to the plan,” he told a EU committee, according to Politico. “Otherwise the message the European Union will convey … is not a message of stability and trust,

“We know very well that the technology is going forward.”

Tzitzikostas also warned that Europe cannot allow electric vehicle (EV) technology and leadership slip through its fingers as happened with solar PV technology.

Citing the fact that Europe developed solar PV technology but then mainly ceded leadership to China, Tzitzikostas lamented the lack of quick action against competition from other nations which allowed them to “infiltrate the market with different levels of competition”.

However, Tzitzikostas did not offer up any specific plans as to how he would go about ensuring Europe regains a position as an EV leader, saying only that he supported tariffs.

The confirmation of Tzitzikostas as commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism was welcomed by European transport groups.

“Commissioner-designate Tzitzikostas talked a good game about cleaning up Europe’s top polluter, transport,” said William Todts, executive director of Transport & Energy (T&E), a leading European advocacy group for transport and energy.

“He showed commitment to e-mobility, scaling clean fuels for aviation and shipping, and solving rail ticketing. But he said very little about what exactly he would do when appointed Commissioner. His repeated refusal to commit to a much anticipated EU law to electrify corporate car fleets was bewildering.”