Italy's former deputy prime minister has called for his country to be allowed to vote on whether it should adopt laws that would ban the sale of new combustion cars by 2035.
Matteo Salvini, federal secretary of Italy's right-wing Lega Nord party, said the incoming laws currently being signed off by European Union nations would severely affect his country – with automotive playing a major role in Italy’s industrial sector.
Salvini called for a referendum to be held, claiming that Italian car makers, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Stellantis-owned Fiat, would be forced to lay off staff, Automotive News Europe has reported.
The law, which mandates a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from news cars by 2035, would effectively outlaw petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains.
