Automakers set 2040 as the deadline to end polluting vehicles

Countries and vehicle manufacturers said on Wednesday that they are willing to cease manufacturing vehicles with a combustion engine in 2040, although the top five brands in the sector did not sign the statement.

The announcement came during the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, chaired by Great Britain, which ensured in the text that the signatories committed to selling only cars with zero greenhouse gas emissions from 2040, and “in 2035 in the main markets ”.

The objective is “achieve standardization of zero emission vehicles ensuring that they are accessible, cheap and sustainable in all regions by 2030″.

However, neither China nor USA, Germany, Japan or India signed the pledge.

Toyota, Volkswagen and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi they weren’t on the list either.

Ford, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors and Volvo, which had previously announced commitments to discontinue the manufacture of cars with internal combustion engines, did subscribe to this text.

Road transport accounts for around 20% of all human-caused pollution.

In a separate commitment, Britain indicated that it plans to end the production of heavy diesel vehicles between 2035 and 2040.

“This day represents a very special moment governments around the world are committed to selling 100% emission-free cars, vans and heavy vehicles”Stated the British Transport Minister, Grant Shapps.

For the CEO of Greenpeace Germany, Martin Kaiser, It is however “seriously disturbing”That the main countries and manufacturers have not signed the pact.

“To end fossil fuel we have to cut our dependency. That means abandoning combustion engines in favor of electric cars and creating clean public transport networks as soon as possible.”, He indicated.

Toyota It defended its decision, claiming that its current business model makes that commitment “difficult”.

Kohei Yoshida, a head of the electric vehicle division of Toyota, explained that there was “many ways to approach carbon neutralityBeyond the covenant.