Matteo Salvini demands urgent changes to the Green Deal on cars
- Matteo Salvini urged the new European Commission to revise the current automotive policies established in the first legislative term.
- He raised concerns about the high dependency on China for electric vehicle production and the potential job losses across Europe.
- Salvini concluded that the European Union must avoid fines for manufacturers while creating a more favorable environment for traditional engines and biofuels.
In Brussels, during the EU Council ministerial meeting, Italian Transportation Minister Matteo Salvini expressed his views on the European Green Deal and its impact on the automotive sector. He highlighted the need for the incoming European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, to reevaluate certain policies he believes are detrimental to the automotive industry. Salvini specifically criticized the decision to stop traditional engines by 2035 and the ban on biofuels. He argued that the current push towards electric vehicles is excessively reliant on Chinese manufacturing, raising concerns about job security for 14 million people across Europe. He emphasized that the continuity of existing policies could lead to significant social unrest and economic challenges. Salvini's criticism extended to proposed fines for manufacturers who fail to meet electric vehicle sales targets, calling such measures unacceptable. His stance reflects a broader plea for common-sense approaches within the realm of automotive policy, particularly in contrast to France's current trajectory. Salvini underscored that the Italian group in the European Parliament would play a crucial role in advocating for changes to the sustainability agenda for road transport, aiming for a course that supports economic viability and job preservation in the automotive sector.