Luca de Meo, president of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), has said OEMs must "get down to it" and ensure car buyers are into zero emission vehicles by 2035 rather than quibble about the deadline.

He said Europe's carmakers will not challenge the European Union's decision to effectively ban fossil-fuel vehicles as of 2035 through zero emissions targets.

At a press conference at the Geneva car show, de Meo said ACEA will not push back against the 2035 demands set by the EU, reports Reuters, even though many markets have found slowing demand for electric cars, particularly as private buyers are deterred by the higher costs of such vehicles.

The industry executive, who also heads Renault Group, added. "Now we must get down to it."

A full fossil-fuel car ban in 2035 "is potentially feasible, but the right conditions must be put in place," he added.

In the UK, the SMMT continues to repeatedly lobby for state support, such as reductions in VAT, to make EVs more attractive to new car buyers.

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