Italy is set to reject the EU's
proposed ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2035 at
Wednesday's meeting of European ambassadors, the Ministry for
the Environment and Energy Security said Tuesday night.
"Tomorrow in Brussels, at the meeting of the ambassadors of the
EU countries, Italy will express a position against the proposal
for a European regulation that envisages a ban on the production
and sale of cars and vans with combustion engines by 2035," said
a statement from the ministry.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier Antonio Tajani and Business
and Made in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso have blasted the European
Union's decision to ban the sale of new carbon-emitting petrol
and diesel cars by 2035, after the move passed its final
legislative step with a vote in the European Parliament on
February 14.
"Italy is behind with the transition (to electric) of the car
sector and we must accelerate with investments," Urso told Rai
radio.
"But the time frames and procedures that Europe is imposing on
us do not match the European reality and, above all, they don't
match the Italian one.
"We cannot address reality with an ideological, partisan vision,
which is what seems to emerge from the European institutions".
Tajani, who is also deputy premier, echoed those sentiments,
saying the move was a "serious mistake".
"I am a great supporter of electric cars, but ambitious targets
have to be achieved in reality, not just on paper," Tajani told
Rai television.
"Italy will forward a counter-proposal of limiting the reduction
to 90%, giving industries the chance to adapt.
"It is necessary to combat climate change, but this means
setting achievable targets".
Deputy Premier and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Matteo
Salvini has also blasted the ban.
"It is a crazy, disconcerting decision that goes against Italian
and European industries and workers and in favour of Chinese
businesses," Salvini said.
Corrado Alberto of the Confapi association representing small
and medium-sized firms said the ban endangered "2,220 businesses
in the (auto) sector and 195,000 jobs".
"Wiping out the the heat-engine component know-how of Italy and
Europe and, considering the electronic technology leadership of
the Asian countries, the risk of long-term offshoring is very
real," Alberto said.
However, Stefano Ciafani, the president of environmental
association Legambiente said the ban was "a positive signal that
goes in the right direction for the ecological transition of the
auto sector.
"Now we shouldn't waste time with sterile rows," he added.
"We have 12 years before us to transform the automobile sector
and prepare for this European deadline".
Several Italian politicians hailed the EU move as a "historic
turning point".
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