NUNZIUM

Diesel and gasoline cars are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018, the transportation sector, which includes cars, trucks, and other vehicles, accounted for approximately 28% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Of this 28%, passenger cars and light-duty trucks (which include gasoline and diesel vehicles) were responsible for about 60%. The primary factor contributing to the release of greenhouse gases from gasoline and diesel vehicles is the combustion of fossil fuels in their engines. When gasoline or diesel is burned, carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere. Other factors that contribute to vehicle emissions include fuel production and transportation, vehicle manufacturing, and vehicle maintenance. For these reasons, efforts are being made to develop and promote alternative fuel vehicles, such as electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Today February 14, the European Union is the first political entity to take a strong position by introducing a controlled phase-out of all gasoline and diesel vehicles. Despite the right-wing parties' opposition, the final ok by the Parliament was reached with 340 votes in favour, 279 against and 21 abstentions. The new legislation is part of the Fit for 55 packages. It establishes a concrete path towards zeroing CO2 emissions: the objectives are to reduce cars' emissions by 55% in 2030 and 100% in 2035 compared to 2021 levels. After that, the new cars and vans will no longer have to produce any CO2 emissions. The decision comes as a fundamental step in order not to further aggravate the crisis linked to climate change which, by 2035, could lead to devastating consequences on a global level. Parties that opposed the decision are already proposing amendments, such as a request to postpone the phase-out deadline by a few years. Such a minor adjustment will be possible in the next few months, after which the decision will be final.

Many politicians still consider the agreement dangerous and harmful for the automotive and other sectors of the economy. The arguments revolve around both the investments needed by the automotive industries to adapt as well as the implicit dependence by third countries supplies that this strategic choice imposes. In particular, minerals such as cobalt and lithium are mainly sourced from extra-EU countries. The EU imports a significant amount of lithium and cobalt, critical raw materials used to produce batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. According to the European Commission, most of the world's cobalt production comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Lithium is mainly produced in South America, particularly in Chile. In 2020, the EU imported approximately 48,000 metric tons of cobalt and 26,000 metric tons of lithium, according to the European Commission. These imports represent a significant portion of the EU's total demand for these materials. The EU currently has limited domestic production capacity for these critical raw materials. The EU is working to develop a sustainable and responsible supply chain to reduce its dependence on imports, including promoting the development of domestic production capacity, supporting the recycling and reuse of these materials, and working with partner countries to promote sustainable and responsible mining practices.