In a major policy reversal, the European Commission has moved to relax its landmark 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. This significant climbdown marks the first time the bloc has watered down its ambitious zero-emission targets, following intense pressure from industry leaders and member states.
A Significant Policy Shift
The Commission is expected to formally propose reversing the effective ban on new combustion-engine car sales from 2035. This revision to the 2023 law, which mandated that all new cars and vans sold in the EU from that date be CO2 emission-free, represents the most substantial retreat from the Union's green agenda in the past five years.
Manfred Weber, head of the European Parliament's largest group, the European People's Party, confirmed the move, stating, "The European Commission will be putting forward a clear proposal to abolish the ban on combustion engines." He labelled the original policy "a serious industrial policy mistake."
Industry Pressure and Political Wins
The dramatic policy shift comes after sustained lobbying from key European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The change is seen as a crucial victory for Europe's automotive sector, which has been struggling with the rapid transition to electric vehicles.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who originally introduced the Green Deal rules in 2022, defended the amendments. "Europe remains at the forefront of the global clean transition," she asserted. The revised package was unveiled in Strasbourg following what she described as "intense dialogues with the automotive sector, civil society organisations and stakeholders."
What the New Rules Will Allow
Under the revised framework, the door will be opened for a wider range of vehicle technologies post-2035. The Commission stated that the changes "will allow for plug-in hybrids, range extenders, mild hybrids, and internal combustion engine vehicles to still play a role beyond 2035, in addition to full electric and hydrogen vehicles."
Furthermore, the Commission has also eased targets for electric vans. The required cut in carbon emissions by 2030 has been reduced from 50 per cent to 40 per cent. To stimulate the production of smaller, more popular models, the new rules introduce a system of "super credits" for manufacturers.
Criticism and Next Steps
The move has not been welcomed by all. The EU Green Party has strongly condemned the decision, characterising it as a "gutting" of landmark emissions legislation designed to combat climate change.
The revised rules now require formal approval from the European Parliament before they can be enacted. This process is likely to involve further debate and negotiation between different political factions within the bloc.
