Italy has previously urged the European Union to reconsider its planned ban on internal combustion engines.
Now, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has voiced her concerns, calling the ban "self-destructive."
Starting in 2035, the EU will prohibit the sale of new cars with combustion engines unless they can run on synthetic fuels, also known as e-fuels.
Italy’s energy minister had earlier called for the EU to rethink the ban, and now Prime Minister Meloni has joined the opposition, criticizing the move as "harmful to both the environment and the car industry".
In addition to phasing out internal combustion engines to promote electrification, the EU has set a goal for the auto industry to cut CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 2021 levels.
But the car industry has struggled to meet these demands, with a notable decline in demand for electric vehicles across Europe.
Prime Minister Meloni emphasized that the green transition should not result in the dismantling of entire industrial sectors.
It’s worth noting that despite Italy's previous opposition to the ban, the country withdrew its objections when the EU officially adopted the measure last year.
Italy is not alone in its criticism.
Germany, for example, successfully pushed for an exemption for synthetic fuels before the ban was passed. Since then, several car manufacturers have reconsidered their shift away from combustion engines.
Recently, Volvo announced it will not focus solely on electric vehicles, while Ford has reversed its plan to sell only electric cars in Europe by 2030. Additionally, both Mercedes and Volkswagen have committed billions toward the development of new internal combustion engines.
