Are European election candidates ready to embrace the electric car revolution? Deciphering the positions taken on this crucial transition.
The position of candidates in the European elections on electric cars
The results of the European elections on June 9 will be of capital importance for the future of electric cars in Europe. Depending on the direction taken by the Brussels Assembly, the future of the electric car will either be strengthened or plunged into a zone of uncertainty. European car manufacturers are therefore particularly attentive to these results.
Political divisions over the fate of the electric car
The question of the future of the electric car divides the candidates in the European elections. We observe a split between those who want to resolutely turn to all-electric, the less enthusiastic and those who are openly reluctant. Reluctant candidates are mainly on the right of the political spectrum.
Marine Le Pen, who had already opposed electric cars in her program for the 2022 Presidential election, maintains this position, as does Jordan Bardella, head of the National Rally list for the European elections. Bardella affirms that the end of the thermal car would penalize the purchasing power of the French. Marion Maréchal of Reconquête goes even further by denouncing “an ecological delusion” requiring Europeans to drive Chinese electric cars powered by Chinese wind turbines.
The traditional right and left
The traditional right, represented by François-Xavier Bellamy of Les Républicains, is not much more favorable to electric cars. Bellamy criticizes the Greens who want to promote electric cars without nuclear energy and wants us to let manufacturers work on other alternative solutions without specifying which ones. On the side of La France Insoumise, Manon Aubry believes that it is not desirable to replace all thermal cars with electric cars, instead advocating a major public transport plan and in particular rail.
Consensus among parties in favor of electric cars
Despite these differences, some parties and candidates agree on the need to switch to electric cars. The Greens, like Valérie Hayer, head of the Renaissance list, support an acceleration of the transition to all-electric power in France and Europe. Raphaël Glucksmann (Place Publique and Socialist Party) is also in favor of switching to electric cars by 2035. If these candidates agree on the importance of investing massively to achieve this transition, they differ on the means of achieve it. Glucksmann proposes making the richest pay more, while Hayer opposes it.
It is interesting to note that Leon Deffontaines, head of the Communist Party list for the European elections, also supports the electric car, provided that it is French and at an affordable price. This unexpected positioning was defended in front of the Flins factory in January.
This question of the electric car leads to surprising connections between the different political parties. Thus, the Macronists find themselves with positions similar to those of the communists and the Socialist Party, while the Republican right is closer to La France Insoumise. The electric car therefore has the merit of making parties break away from their traditional political patterns.
Candidates for the European elections express diverse positions regarding the future of the electric car. Some are in favor of a rapid transition to all-electric, while others are more reluctant and advocate the development of other alternatives. It is clear that the results of the European elections will have a major impact on the future of electric cars in Europe, and European car manufacturers are eagerly waiting to hear what direction the Brussels Assembly will take.
Source: www.caradisiac.com