The European Union decided last year to phase out the sale of gasoline and diesel cars by 2035. According to the latest statement from Porsche, this ambitious plan will not be implemented in the European Union any time soon.
Porsche: Internal combustion car sales ban cannot be implemented until 2035
Porsche CFO Lutz Meschke spoke at the launch of the company’s first all-electric Macan SUV. In an interview with Bloomberg, he said that the plan to ban internal combustion engine vehicles in Europe by 2035 could be delayed.
“There is a lot of talk about a gas vehicle ban at the moment and I think it could be postponed. We have to see a steeper growth curve going forward,” Meschke said in a statement.
Meschke’s explanation actually seems coherent. Looking at sales data from Europe over the past year, consumer demand for electric vehicles has slowed significantly. Many consumers are hesitant to make the switch due to inadequate charging infrastructure and higher costs compared to gasoline/diesel vehicles.
A number of European countries, such as Germany, have reduced financial incentives for EV purchases. Some subsidy programs ended completely at the end of last year. Porsche’s CFO said cutting subsidies for electric cars was a mistake.
The European Union wants to achieve carbon zero by 2050. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, it aims to phase out internal combustion cars. However, the declining demand for electric vehicles has put Europe’s goal into question.