Petrol and diesel car ban causing 'grave crisis' as dramatic electric vehicle switch is 'not sustainable'

The minister argues that the EU's Green Deal roadmap has exposed its contradictions, citing a collapse in the European electric vehicle market.

Urso warns that hundreds of thousands of European car manufacturing jobs are at risk unless Brussels eases its ambitious environmental goals for the automotive sector.

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Speaking to the Financial Times, he said: "The data speaks for itself. It's already clear the road map...is not sustainable."

Urso is set to demand an urgent review of emissions rules and the 2035 internal combustion engine ban during high-level meetings in Brussels this week.

He argues the ban should be delayed and modified to allow for the sale of other clean technology vehicles, including those using biofuel or synthetic fuel, alongisde zero emission vehicles.

The minister's push comes amidst growing anxiety in European capitals and warnings from manufacturers about the potential decline of the continent's car industry.

The 67-year-old highlighted the suspension of car production at Stellantis' Turin plant due to weak demand for electric vehicles.

He added: "Everyone is aware that if we don't move in a hurry, within a few months, that in Brussels, Strasbourg and other European capitals, we'll find not only farmers with their tractors, but also workers."

Urso's proposal will be discussed by Italy's national delegation of EU lawmakers on Wednesday before being officially presented at a meeting of EU industry ministers the following day, according to Reuters.

"We believe it's absolutely necessary to modify the direction of EU industrial policy," Urso told a gathering of business associations and trade unions.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also been critical of the EU's Green Deal, often dismissing its proposals as "ideological" and criticising the sweeping measures.

Italy's push for an early review reflects broader resistance to the EU's Green Deal within the automotive sector. The European auto lobby ACEA recently called for "relief" from intermediate CO2 targets set for 2025.

However, opinions within the industry are divided. Stellantis, Europe's second-largest automaker and owner of Fiat, opposes any delay to EU emission targets for next year.

The UK is also torn as to how the ban can be achieved. In its election manifesto, Labour pledged to reinstate the original 2030 deadline to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.

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However, recent reports have suggested that Keir Starmer's party could backtrack on this pledge and instead allow the sale of plug-in hybrid cars to continue until 2035.

Speaking previously to GB News, a Government spokesperson said: "We’re committed to delivering greener transport by supporting the transition to electric vehicles.

“We will provide certainty to manufacturers by restoring the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel cars, and are committed to accelerating the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. We will set out further details due course.”