Ford wants Europe to go all-electric, calling on EU regulators to ban the sale of new vehicles using internal combustion engines by 2035.
The Detroit-based automaker already laid out plans to completely convert its own fleet to battery-power by 2035. It plans to accelerate that shift by having nine fully electric models, ranging from the subcompact Puma to the E-Transit van in European showrooms by 2024. Ford plans to sell at least 600,000 BEVs in Europe each year by 2024.
Several countries have already laid out plans in line with Ford’s target. The UK will limit sales to plug-based models — including plug-in hybrids and pure battery-electric vehicles — by 2030, with that limited to BEVs alone by 2035. Norway is on a similar timetable. BEVs already account for more than half the vehicles sold in the Scandinavian nation.
EU regulators consider EV plan
Ford made its pitch for an all-electric mandate ahead of a June meeting that will see EU regulators discuss proposals for tightening up the continent’s already strict automotive emissions standards. The EU Commission has already delivered a proposal that would ban the sale of new ICE-powered vehicles by 2035.
Ford isn’t the only automaker supporting such a move. The Volkswagen Group is looking to go all-electric within the timeframe being considered by the EU. And several of its many brands, including ultra-premium Bentley, expect to be selling nothing but BEVs by the end of this decade.
There are some manufacturers who question the need for a complete switch to BEVs, however. Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda has repeatedly cautioned that there needs to be a mix more reflective of consumer demands and local needs. The automaker wants to keep producing hybrids and plug-in hybrids, along with pure electric models such as the new bZ4X SUV.
Demand growing fast
While gas- and diesel-powered vehicles continue to dominate European sales, demand for zero-emissions vehicles is growing rapidly.
More than 565,000 plug-based models were registered in Europe during the first quarter of 2022, accounting for about 11% of total new vehicle sales. Of that number, BEVs captured a 12% market share, with plug-in hybrids gaining a 9% share.
Tesla was Europe’s best-selling BEV during Q1, with a volume of nearly 59,000 units. Fiat came in second, its 500 electric model generating almost 6,600 sales. Ford’s electric Kuga was sixth on the sales charts, with about 5,000 sold during the period.
Government has to pitch in
In his pitch to EU regulators, Ford of Europe Chairman Stuart Rowley stressed that regulators need to do more than just set a target and step back, forcing automakers to do all the hard work.
“To successfully achieve this (transition to all-electric vehicles),” said Rowley, “EU policymakers must also establish mandatory national targets for a seamless electric charging infrastructure that lives up to the growing demand for electric vehicles.”