Ford supports appeal to EU for 100% EV sales by 2035

MANILA: Ford of Europe has joined 27 other companies in urging the European Union (EU) to make all new vehicles in Europe zero-emission by 2035 and to set mandatory charging infrastructure standards.

The petition asserts that eliminating fossil fuel-burning vehicles from the road is important to Europe achieving its target of net zero emissions by 2050 and avoiding the worst effects of climate change on people and the environment. Implementing a law that establishes standards and a clear schedule for the industry and suppliers to follow is one way to ensure that the transition to electric vehicles is successful.

In a statement, Ford of Europe Chair Stuart Rowley said, “At Ford in Europe, we believe that freedom of movement goes hand-in-hand with caring for our planet and each other. That’s why we are targeting all Ford vehicles to be zero emission by 2035. To successfully achieve this, EU policymakers must also establish mandatory national targets for a seamless electric charging infrastructure that lives up to the growing demand for electric vehicles.”

Rowley participates in the European Car Climate Summit today, May 18, organized by the campaign group Transport and Environment, as a member of a panel discussing the best time for companies, workers, and customers to switch to fully electric.

Following a proposal by the EU Commission — endorsed by the companies making the appeal — that only zero-emission new vehicles will be sold EU-wide from 2035, EU decision-makers are currently deliberating new clean car regulations. The European Parliament and EU governments will decide on their stances in June, with the final legislation expected to be passed in autumn.

Ford of Europe is paving the way to zero-emission vehicles with a new generation of seven all-electric, fully connected passenger cars and vans set to arrive in Europe by 2024. The Mustang Mach-E, which earned maximum safety and green ratings from Euro NCAP and Green NCAP last year, and the E-Transit, which got the Euro NCAP Gold Award for its advanced driver assistance systems, are leading the charge.

Ford is committed to protecting the environment and maintaining a sustainable future. Ford of Europe has launched a number of initiatives in the past year to help contribute to a more sustainable society, as detailed in the European Sustainability Digest 2022.

This digest is a complement to Ford's global Integrated Sustainability and Financial Report, and it outlines the important initiatives Ford is doing to achieve carbon neutrality across its European facilities, logistics, and suppliers by 2035. Ford has also released its first Human Rights Report earlier this year. This section of the Sustainability Report analyzes how materials are acquired, where Ford products are manufactured, and how the company's labor standards compare.

All of the electricity used at the company's production facilities in Europe is already 100% renewable. Electric vehicle production in Cologne, Germany is now set to reach 1.2 million units over the next six years, with a total product investment of US$2 billion, helping in the introduction of more electric vehicles to European customers.

Ford's BlueOval Charging Network comprises over 300,000 charging stations throughout Europe, and 1,000 charging stations will be installed at Ford's European facilities by 2023 for employees. Ford of Europe is also a proud member of RouteZero, a global alliance dedicated to making all cars and vans fully electric by 2040.

Ford of Europe has also recently joined two major programs aimed at establishing industry standards for data sharing between partners and the assessment of production site sustainability in order to improve supply chain sustainability.

Ford has donated over US$74.4 million to promote equity and empower poor and marginalized communities around the world through its philanthropic arm, Ford Fund.

Photos from Ford

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