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Spain urges EU not to weaken 2035 combustion engine ban, letter shows

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/spain-urges-eu-not-weaken-2035-combustion-engine-ban-letter-shows-2025-12-12/

Automakers, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have urged the EU to weaken the policy, amid slower-than-expected electric car sales. Sweden's Volvo Cars and others say they have already heavily invested in the transition to electric, and any reversal on the ban would be a betrayal.

Melchior @feddit.org - 4hr

That is great news. Macron please follow the Spanish lead, with some of the smaller members it would be enough to block it in the Council.

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tardigrade @scribe.disroot.org - 4hr

It would be great if the EU would not reverse the ban, but I am afraid that Spain's PM Sanchez isn't doing that for some economic or environmental reason. He's just fighting for his political survival, and topics like EVs and tge Gaza war helps him to distract from the corruption scandals of his government, close party allies, and family members. And 'Sweden's' Volvo Cars is majorily owned by Geeky from China, a country that Sanchez considers a Spanish ally and investor (so human rights are not Sanchez's thing it seems).

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poVoq - 3hr

Saudi Arabia isn't great on human rights either...

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Ismay @programming.dev - 3hr

While the rest of EU is still following the US that is actively trying to break the EU...

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tardigrade @scribe.disroot.org - 2hr

Yes, and Sanchez and his party have close ties to China. Sanchez's government even contracted China's Huawei with the country's judicial wiretap system (while at the same time banned Huawei from its public telcom network over security reasons). So the Spanish law enforcement, including those fighting corruption, now depends on China.

And let us not forget the Gate Center, a Spanish-Chinese so-called 'think tank' with close ties to the government.

[Edit typo.]

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tardigrade @scribe.disroot.org - 3hr

This makes no sense as it has nothing to do with the topic or my comment. Sanchez is fighting for his own political survival and nothing else. He would do and say the exact opposite if he thinks it would help him.

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Gamechanger @slrpnk.net - 4hr

Is there any chance France will follow? Sweden and Denmark are also opposed!

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Gamechanger @slrpnk.net - 2hr

France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden have ~ 35% of the EU populace... So maybe one more small country would be needed for a blocking minority. (If I am not mistaken)

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takeda @lemmy.dbzer0.com - 4hr

That law passed after Russian invasion of Ukraine. My understanding was that this invasion created push away from dependence on Russian oil.

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