EU Softens 2035 Combustion Engine Ban Amid Industry Concerns
Table of Contents
European officials on Tuesday, December 16, signaled a shift in policy, easing planned restrictions on the sale of new cars wiht internal combustion engines by 2035. The move comes after sustained pressure from both national governments and automakers who argued for greater flexibility in achieving ambitious EU climate goals.
The initial 2023 legislation mandated that average emissions from new cars reach zero by 2035 – effectively a 100% reduction from 2021 levels. Though, the EU’s executive commission is now proposing a revised target of a 90% reduction in emissions.
A Path for Hybrid Technology
This adjustment doesn’t signal a complete abandonment of the transition to electric vehicles, but rather creates space for continued innovation and a more pragmatic approach. According to one senior official, the revised proposal means “moast cars would be battery-only,” but crucially, it “would leave room for some cars with internal combustion engines.”
Automakers facing the challenge of meeting the stricter standards will be required to offset any remaining emissions through several avenues. These include utilizing European steel manufactured with lower-carbon processes,and incorporating climate neutral e-fuels – produced from renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide – alongside biofuels derived from plant sources.
Climate Neutrality Remains the Goal
EU officials maintain that this adjustment will not jeopardize the bloc’s overarching ambition to become climate neutral by 2050. Achieving this goal requires reaching a point where carbon dioxide emissions are balanced by absorption through natural sinks like forests and oceans, or through carbon capture and storage technologies.CO2, widely recognized by scientists as the primary driver of climate change, remains the central focus of these efforts.
The less stringent limit also allows for the continued sale of plug-in hybrids, vehicles that combine electric and internal combustion engines. These hybrids offer the benefit of using the combustion engine to recharge the battery, alleviating concerns about the availability of charging infrastructure.
Supporting European Industry
The proposal is accompanied by initiatives designed to bolster European battery production and encourage the development of smaller, more affordable electric vehicles. This move follows appeals from major automakers and governments, particularly those in Germany and Italy, which host significant manufacturing operations and expressed concerns about the potential economic impact of a rapid transition.
Industry representatives have consistently highlighted the slow pace of charging infrastructure development as a major impediment to consumer adoption of electric vehicles. Other factors contributing to slower demand include the cancellation of purchase subsidies in Germany and the relatively high cost of European-made electric cars.
sales volumes remain below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
The proposed changes require approval from both member governments and the European Parliament before becoming law. This represents a significant moment for the future of the automotive industry and the EU’s commitment to a enduring future.
Why: The EU is softening its 2035 ban on the sale of new combustion engine cars due to pressure from automakers and national governments who argued the original plan was too ambitious and perhaps damaging to the European economy.
Who: The key players are the European Commission, member governments (particularly Germany and Italy), automakers,
