Luca de Meo, the CEO of Renault, has voiced concerns over the European Union's ambitious target to ban the sale of new thermal cars by 2035. In a recent interview with Les Échos, he emphasized the need for flexibility in the timeline, stating that shifting from a 10% market share of electric vehicles (EVs) to 100% in just twelve years is a daunting challenge. De Meo highlighted that both Renault and France previously believed that 2035 was too early for such a transition, suggesting a more realistic target of 2040.
Despite the challenges, De Meo insists that abandoning the goal of complete electrification would be a grave mistake, given the significant investments made by the automotive industry in transitioning to electric technology. He pointed out that many countries are still struggling to reach even a 7% market share for electric vehicles, indicating that a collective effort is necessary to advance the ecosystem.
Reiterating his thoughts from earlier this year, De Meo expressed that while a delay in the ban on gasoline and diesel cars would be beneficial, it must be approached cautiously to avoid harming the entire automotive value chain in Europe. He also noted that the electric vehicle is just one of many solutions for decarbonizing the automotive sector, advocating for a simultaneous renovation of the fleet and exploration of alternative fuel types. De Meo concluded by stressing the importance of not putting all efforts into a single solution, as the next decade may not see enough electric vehicles to make a significant impact on decarbonization.
