European E-fuel Policy Could Save Historic Vehicles

FIVA (the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens) is welcoming news that the use of carbon-neutral e-fuels is now officially recognised in Europe as an important factor in tackling climate change.  In recent years, FIVA member organisations have been actively studying the use of e-fuels and the results to date suggest these fuels work well in historic as well as modern vehicles.

There had been concerns that the sale of all new cars with internal combustion engines would be banned across Europe from 2035 as part of the latest EU zero-emissions legislation, a move that would result in fossil fuel supplies running dry without an alternative rising to take their place.  But a last-minute campaign, led by Germany, produced an amendment that would still allow traditional engines to be bought and used if new vehicles were adapted so they could only accept non-polluting synthetic fuels.

FIVA has welcomed the development because it will encourage the commercial development of e-fuels, which will make it easier for historic vehicle owners to begin transitioning away from fossil fuels.  

The availability of non-polluting fuels will help keep Europe’s historic vehicles on the road long into the future, while reducing their impact on the environment.  The scaling up of production of e-fuels will also be important in other parts of the world where the internal combustion engine will still, by necessity, have a role to play for some time.

Ongoing trials by FIVA member organisations in Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands and the UK have already shown that e-fuels work well in historic engines and, as fossil fuels start to disappear from the mainstream market, owners are increasingly keen to embrace the use of clean, green alternatives.  Speaking after the announcement in Brussels, Lars Genild, FIVA’s Vice-President, Legislation, commented, “Here at FIVA we have been working hard on our sustainability strategy.  We want to take responsibility for making our passion for preserving historic vehicles as environmentally friendly as possible. This news will help us achieve that goal.”