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EU expected to unveil automotive package on December 16

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Lobbying intensifies ahead of package release

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Car industry facing tough shift to EVs

By Marie Mannes

STOCKHOLM, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Leaders from across

Europe's electric car industry on Wednesday urged the European

Commission to stick to its 2035 zero-emission target for new

cars, warning that any retreat would undermine investment and

widen the bloc's gap with China.

The EU executive is set to unveil an automotive package on

December 16 that could give more flexibility on CO2 targets and

ease an effective ban on new sales of combustion-engine cars

from 2035, something being pushed by German automakers and the

European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.

In an open letter to Commission President Ursula von der

Leyen, campaign group E-Mobility Europe and ChargeUp Europe,

backed by nearly 200 signatories such as Swedish automakers

Polestar and Volvo Cars, called for the targets to be kept.

"We are deeply concerned about recent efforts to dilute your

objectives," the letter said, referring to intense lobbying

efforts by the wider auto industry.

The groups added that reopening the door to transitional

technologies such as plug-in hybrids and CO2-neutral fuels would

create uncertainty and slow the shift to electric vehicles, even

as Chinese electric automakers streak ahead and cut costs.

"Every delay in Europe only widens the gap with China," it

added.

The EU's automotive package has been subject to intense

lobbying, with letters from both industry and campaigners

flooding Brussels ahead of the announcement.