French car industry calls ban on combustion engine cars ‘industrial destruction’

There was a lukewarm response following the outcome of the vote from French economics minister Bruno Le Maire, who highlighted the “revolutionary but positive” decision, though “considerable work remains” to be ready on time for 2035. [Michael Gancharuk/Shutterstock]

The French car industry has unanimously condemned the European Parliament’s vote to ban the production of combustion engine cars from 2035, arguing it amounts to “industrial destruction” and a “step into the unknown”.

Given that German carmakers have already voiced their discontent, it remains to be seen if the two countries that are home to the largest automotive industries in Europe will embrace the ban endorsed by the Parliament on Wednesday (8 June).

French MEP Karima Delli told EURACTIV car industry had lobbied furiously to delete the year 2035 from the Parliament’s text. The conservative European People’s Party (EPP), the parliament’s biggest political group, had also sought to dilute the text. (...)