The European Union is preparing to dilute one of its landmark climate policies by easing the planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035, senior lawmakers have signalled, a move that risks deepening divisions among member states, environmental groups and the continent’s auto industry.
Under the original framework agreed by the EU in 2023 as part of its broader Green Deal to reach climate neutrality by 2050, all new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold across the bloc were to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2035. That effectively meant the end of new petrol, diesel and even plug-in hybrid vehicles. But growing resistance from powerful political leaders, key national governments and sections of the automotive sector has prompted senior figures in the European Parliament and the Commission to consider rewriting those rules.
Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s Party — the largest political grouping in the European Parliament — confirmed that strict limits banning internal combustion engines entirely are likely to be removed when the Commission formally unveils revised CO2 standards later this week. According to Weber, the bloc will shift instead to a target of reducing fleet carbon emissions by around 90 per cent by 2035, rather than the originally envisaged 100 per cent. That change would open the door to continued sales of advanced plug-in hybrid cars that combine electric power with combustion engines, as well as potentially other low-carbon technologies.
Proponents of the rethink argue that allowing greater technological flexibility and consumer choice is crucial for maintaining competitiveness in Europe’s automotive industry. Germany’s chancellor has backed the shift, saying that markets and consumers should drive the transition rather than rigid bans, and that synthetic fuels and other innovations should be part of the strategy for cutting emissions. This position reflects concerns in Berlin and Rome that a hard ban could harm domestic carmakers, hamper jobs in the sector and put Europe at a disadvantage compared with rivals in China, where electric vehicle production and adoption are accelerating rapidly.
However, the prospective change has drawn sharp criticism from environmental campaigners and some car manufacturers who have already invested heavily in electric vehicles. Green groups warn that watering down the ban will delay the uptake of zero-emission transport and jeopardise the EU’s ability to meet its legally binding climate targets, including limiting global warming in line with the Paris Agreement. Some researchers and advocacy organisations argue that even a 2035 deadline is too late if Europe is to effectively cut transport emissions, which remain one of the bloc’s largest sources of greenhouse gases.
Several EU governments remain divided on the issue. France and Spain have publicly pressed the Commission to uphold the stricter emissions standards and ensure that incentives are introduced to help European manufacturers produce and sell zero-emission cars locally, rather than relying on imported technologies. They stress that undermining the ban could undermine Europe’s credibility on climate policy and its long-term industrial strategy.
The Commission’s final proposal, expected to be published next Tuesday in Strasbourg, will be closely watched as a bellwether for how the EU balances environmental ambition with economic and political realities. It is likely to include additional measures aimed at promoting smaller electric vehicles and encouraging investment in charging infrastructure, especially in markets where EV adoption has lagged. The controversy underscores the broader challenge the EU faces in transitioning its transport sector while accommodating diverse national priorities and competitive pressures in the global automotive market.
