Speaking to the press at the end of a European Council in Brussels, António Costa, faced with the accusation by environmentalist Zero on the Portuguese position on this matter, underlined that the proposal signed by Portugal only reduces the cut in carbon dioxide emissions to 90% carbon emissions from new cars from 2035, by allowing hybrid vehicles by 2040, which, he pointed out, is in line with “the Climate Law approved by the Assembly of the Republic”.

Time to adapt

The head of government also justified the proposal by allowing more time for families to adapt to this transition, arguing that it must have “social support”.

“It is important to have the notion that most people today still have normal combustion vehicles and this transition effort is a huge effort that will depend above all on families”, he said, speaking to Portuguese journalists in Brussels.