Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – MEPs Palmisano and Tamburrano criticized Minister Urso’s stance on electric vehicles. They urged support for sustainable transition and warned against harmful alternatives.
In a joint note, MEPs Valentina Palmisano and Dario Tamburrano from the 5 Star Movement criticized Minister Aldo Urso. MEPs suggested that he is increasingly resembling Don Rodrigo from “The Betrothed”—unscrupulous and willing to do whatever it takes to undermine the electric sector. They argue electric sector is vital for saving citizens and reducing emissions in the transport sector.
They asserted that Urso’s recent claims about a crisis in the electric car market are misleading and imply a need to modify or even cancel the transition to electric vehicles and halt the use of polluting cars.
What evidence supports the growth of electric vehicles?
They emphasized data from the International Energy Agency, which indicates that in 2024, one in five cars sold globally will be electric—amounting to 17 million vehicles, predominantly produced by major American and Chinese manufacturers. They argued that the causes of the current car crisis should be attributed to different factors, urging an end to the use of false scapegoats.
How could Uso’s proposal affect European manufacturers?
They expressed concern that the proposal Urso is set to present at the Competitiveness Council in Brussels on Thursday could further isolate European manufacturers, rendering them marginal players in the sustainable transition. This, they warned, could have severe consequences, leading to the potential loss of millions of jobs.
What steps should Urso take to support electric vehicles?
They suggested that instead of engaging in ideological battles against electric vehicles, Urso should focus on lowering charging costs in Italy, which are among the highest in Europe. Additionally, they called for an increase in the number of charging stations and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the automotive sector to facilitate their conversion.
The two MEPs concluded that emphasizing biofuels as an alternative to electric vehicles represents yet another favour to agro-industry lobbies seeking new and more lucrative markets for their products. They warned that this shift could have severe climate consequences, including increased deforestation and rising prices for fruits and vegetables. They urged Minister Urso to reconsider, arguing that his regressive approach could cause Italy to miss out on future opportunities.
