Sept 8 (Reuters) - Over 150 bosses from Europe's

electric car industry signed a letter on Monday urging the

European Union to stick to its 2035 zero emission target for

cars and vans.

The electric car industry's signatories, including Volvo

Cars and Polestar, warned against any delays to the targets,

saying in the letter that would mean stalling Europe's EV

market, handing an advantage to global competitors and eroding

investor confidence.

It follows a separate letter at the end of August from heads

of the European automobile manufacturers' and automotive

suppliers' associations to European Commission President Ursula

von der Leyen stressing that a 100% reduction for cars by 2035

was no longer feasible.

That letter included the signature of Mercedes-Benz

CEO Ola Kaellenius.

On September 12, von der Leyen is set to discuss the future

of the automotive sector automotive with industry players, which

are facing the dual threat of increased competition from Chinese

rivals and U.S. tariffs.

Weakening targets now would send a signal that Europe can be

talked out of its own commitments, Michael Lohscheller, CEO of

Polestar, said in a statement.

"That would not only harm the climate. It would harm

Europe's ability to compete," he said.

Michiel Langzaal, chief executive of EU charging company

Fastned, cited the clarity the 2035 target had provided and

investments already made in areas like charging infrastructure

and software development.

"Those investments can only create returns if we get to this

goal," he said.

All European carmakers except Mercedes-Benz were on track to

comply to CO₂ regulation for cars and vans over 2025-2027,

according to a report on Monday from transport research and

campaign group T&E.

Mercedes, it said, would need to pool its emissions with

Volvo Cars and Polestar to avoid fines for missing the targets.