More than 150 CEOs from companies across Europe have signed an open letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, demanding that the European Union (EU) maintain the integrity of the 2035 zero-emission target for cars and vans.
The initiative, coordinated by ChargeUp Europe and endorsed by vehicle manufacturers, battery producers, charging providers, software developers, material suppliers, utilities and grid operators, aims to send a clear message ahead of the Strategic Dialogue on 12 September:
“The road ahead is electric, and Europe cannot step back.”
A signal for industry and investment
The letter recalls that the commitment adopted in 2023 under von der Leyen’s leadership was far more than a climate milestone. It represented a clear signal for industry, investors, governments and citizens, marking a credible roadmap towards electric mobility.
“That target triggered real action. Our companies have committed hundreds of billions of euros in new investment, already creating more than 150,000 jobs across Europe,” the CEOs underline.
The text highlights tangible progress, including battery gigafactories in France and Germany, new or retooled automotive plants in Slovakia and Belgium, and the rapid expansion of charging infrastructure across the continent.
The risk of hesitation
The business leaders warn that any delay in the timeline, or a shift of focus after 2035 towards less efficient “transitional” technologies, would have severe consequences: slowing down progress, eroding investor confidence and permanently handing the advantage to global competitors.
They note that China is already moving faster and with greater strategic focus on electric vehicles (EVs), in a context where one in four cars sold this year will already be electric, according to the International Energy Agency.
“Hesitation now would mean deeper dependency, lost influence and falling irreversibly behind,” the letter cautions.
What CEOs are asking from the European Commission
The signatories call for the 2035 target to be backed by a stronger, more coordinated industrial and demand strategy.
Specifically, they request:
- A robust European industrial policy to scale up battery production, secure raw materials, and support the transformation of suppliers and machinery manufacturers.
- Consistent incentives across Member States to help all Europeans switch to EVs.
- Accelerated investment in power grids and streamlined permitting to enable the charging infrastructure required for widespread electrification.
- Renewed commitment to effective implementation of EU legislation, ensuring the transition is driven across the single market.
A decisive moment
The CEOs acknowledge Ursula von der Leyen’s role as a champion of Europe’s clean-tech ambitions, but stress that her “conviction to act boldly now” will determine whether Europe leads or follows the electric transition.
The letter closes with a united message: “We are committed to building and powering Europe’s electric vehicle future. We now ask Europe’s political leadership to stay the course, step up with us, and take charge.”
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