7 Reasons the Petrol & Diesel Car Ban Won’t Work — And What We Should Do Instead
EVs Instead of Petrol & Diesel Cars
In our previous article "The EU's Ban on Combustion Engines", we explored the logic, intentions, and unintended consequences of the EU's decision to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. The verdict? Noble intentions, poor execution.
Now, let’s go a step deeper. Because laws don’t work just because we pass them. They work when they align with reality — economic, environmental, and societal. Below are 7 reasons why the petrol and diesel car ban is unlikely to succeed as intended, and what smarter alternatives could lead us to a genuinely greener future.
The Reasons Why That Ban Won’t Work
1. EVs Aren’t as Clean as You Think
Electric vehicles (EVs) eliminate tailpipe emissions, yes. But that’s just one part of the lifecycle. According to the IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2021, EV production emits 40–60% more CO₂ than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars due to energy-intensive battery manufacturing. Depending on your electricity source, it can take 50,000 to 100,000 km for an EV to break even on emissions.
In regions with coal-heavy grids (e.g. Poland), the carbon payback time is even longer. Until grid decarbonization catches up, the environmental superiority of EVs is conditional at best.
Fix: Instead of banning tech, implement well-to-wheel CO₂ targets, giving all technologies — EVs, hybrids, hydrogen, and synthetic fuels — a fair shot.
2. The Ethics of Cobalt and Lithium
EV batteries rely on lithium, nickel, and cobalt — much of which comes from politically unstable regions. Over 70% of global cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, often using child labor and unsafe conditions, as exposed by Amnesty International.
Shifting from oil to minerals doesn’t automatically clean up the supply chain. We’re just outsourcing the dirt.
Fix: The EU should mandate supply chain audits and ethical sourcing requirements, and fund battery recycling infrastructure domestically to reduce reliance on mining.
3. Grid Capacity Is Nowhere Near Ready
According to Eurelectric, full EV adoption would double electricity demand by 2040. Current infrastructure is underprepared for this spike, and upgrades will require over €500 billion in investment. Peak demand synchronization poses a risk of blackouts.
Fix: Invest heavily in smart grid tech, off-peak charging incentives, and localized solar/storage systems to balance demand.
4. EVs Are Too Expensive for Most Europeans
The average EV in Europe costs €47,000 (ACEA 2024), compared to €32,000 for ICE cars. When Germany cut EV subsidies in 2024, sales plummeted by 65% in Q1. Without subsidies, EVs are luxury products, not people’s cars — especially in lower-income EU countries where the average monthly wage is under €1,000. This growing affordability gap risks turning clean mobility into a privilege of the rich, not a universal solution.
Fix: Support affordable hybrid and synthetic-fuel-capable vehicles alongside EVs. Let the market adapt gradually, not by force.
5. EV Charging Infrastructure Lags Behind in Eastern Europe and Rural Areas
Let’s be honest: the electric revolution is built for rich countries. In much of Western Europe, charging stations are becoming common — but in the Eastern bloc, rural areas, and suburbs, the infrastructure is practically nonexistent. In places like Bulgaria, Romania, or parts of Czechia and Slovakia, you’ll often find one charger per town, if any. Apartment dwellers have no access to home charging. Villages? They’re still figuring out high-speed internet.
Fix: Prioritize infrastructure investment in underserved regions, including rural charging networks and subsidies for home installations. Without a functioning grid and real access, the transition remains fantasy for millions.
6. EU Is Ignoring Synthetic Fuels
Companies like Porsche, Siemens Energy, and Bosch are working on carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, which allow existing ICE vehicles to run cleanly. But these are getting sidelined due to the EV-only narrative.
Fix: Fund R&D and pilot programs for e-fuels, and set neutral technology targets instead of pushing only one drivetrain solution.
7. Top-Down Bans Kill Innovation
By banning the entire category of combustion engines, the EU signals that only one technology deserves survival. This kills competition. We’re not encouraging innovation — we’re forcing conformity.
Fix: Set emissions goals, not tech mandates. Let engineers, entrepreneurs, and markets decide what works best.
Final Thoughts
Banning petrol and diesel cars outright sounds bold. But bold doesn’t mean smart. A law that doesn’t account for economics, infrastructure, or ethics is a law doomed to backfire.
We need to decarbonize, yes. But we also need flexibility, realism, and respect for complexity. If the EU truly wants a green future, it should lead with incentives, competition, and scientific rigor — not just political headlines.