While the European Commission wants to ban the sale of new thermal engine vehicles from 2035, discussions are continuing. France, which currently chairs Europe, pleads in particular for maintaining rechargeable hybrids until 2040. But Germany wants to go further. The country, of which a significant part of the economy is based on the automotive industry, wants to maintain thermal engines after 2035. And the Germans are proposing to develop synthetic, carbon-neutral fuels. “We want combustion engines to remain an option, if they run exclusively on synthetic fuels,” said Transport Minister Volker Wissing. Behind this speech, we can see support from the German government for some of its national manufacturers who are very committed to the development of synthetic fuels, in particular the Volkswagen group through the Porsche and Audi brands.
Porsche could go public
A small revolution if the project is confirmed. Volkswagen needs cash to finance its transformation into electric. And he would intend to open 49% of the capital of Porsche on the stock market. The brand is valued between 60 and 80 billion by economists. We understand all the interest of the operation. However, the operation is complex. The Volkswagen group is itself controlled by Porsche SE, a holding company already listed on the stock exchange in which the Porsche-Piëch family retains the absolute majority of votes. The project therefore depends on the agreement of the members of the various supervisory boards of the various entities. Case to follow.
Vinci Autoroutes will be equipped with fast and even ultra-fast terminals
The operator is aiming for an equipment rate of 100% of its service areas by 2023. About a hundred are already equipped, i.e. 6 out of 10, with 384 charging points. Recently, 53 electric charging points including 38 ultra-fast 150 kW have been set up. In the Centre-Val de Loire region, we can cite the case of the Orléans Nord carpool car park, which has 6 ultra-fast points. There is also the A71 motorway, where 2 ultra-fast charging stations have been installed in the Bourges Sainte-Thorette service area and a 50 kW charging station in the Chaumont-sur-Tharonne service area. Each of the stations offers at least one universal charging point with three connectors for all vehicles.
And then watch out for the new radars
From the reading of license plates, new devices will be able to check if you are in good standing. They will gradually apply in the ZFEs, the low emission zones which will concern 45 metropolises by 2025, including that of Tours. In Grenoble, Lyon and Paris, it is better to avoid driving in the lanes reserved for carpooling if you are alone. Radars are there to count the number of passengers on board. They are being tested but it will work in Paris for the 2024 Olympics. There are also noise radars, we have already told you about them. 7 cities in France have applied to test them. Here too, commissioning could take place in 2024.