Particle.news
Download on the App Store

EU Set to Soften 2035 Combustion-Car Sales Ban as Commission Readies Proposal

Mounting pressure from Germany, Italy has steered Brussels toward options that delay the deadline or replace it with high fleet CO2 limits.

Overview

  • The European Commission is expected on Tuesday to propose reversing the EU’s effective ban on new combustion-engine car sales from 2035, according to Reuters.
  • Options still being negotiated include a five-year delay or an indefinite shift from a prohibition to stringent fleet CO2 targets.
  • Manfred Weber said the executive will present a plan to abolish the ban, calling the 2035 rule a serious industrial policy mistake.
  • Volkswagen and Stellantis have pushed for looser targets as EV demand trails expectations and Chinese competition intensifies, while EV advocates warn a rollback would sap investment.
  • Draft elements under preparation include boosting EV uptake in corporate fleets, creating a new small-EV category with extra credits, and potential recognition of e-fuels and advanced biofuels.