France, Sept. 8 -- Over 150 executives from Europe's electric car (EV) sector have urged the EU to maintain its 2035 zero-emission target for cars and vans, countering earlier claims by traditional car manufacturers that the target was "unfeasible". European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to hold talks with automotive industry leaders on Friday.

In a letter sent to Brussels on Monday, 150 EV executives, including bosses from Volvo Cars and Polestar, warned that any delay to the 2035 target would hand a competitive advantage to global rivals - particularly Chinese manufacturers - and undermine investor confidence in Europe's green transition.

"Weakening targets now would send a signal that Europe can be talked out of it...