by The European Union appears to be preparing for a significant revision of one of its key climate initiatives. According to reports, plans for a complete ban on internal combustion engine cars from 2035 will be softened.
Course Change Under Industry Pressure
After years of discussions and political bargaining, the EU is likely to retreat from one of its most ambitious environmental goals. The bloc plans to soften the previously introduced ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035. This step came after prolonged pressure from automotive industry leaders, especially in Germany and Italy, and despite support for the original plan from manufacturers such as Volvo and Polestar.
The technology ban on internal combustion engines is off the agenda. All engines currently produced in Germany can continue to be produced and sold.
This position was expressed by Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party, during a press conference in Germany. He stated that the EU had agreed to soften its requirement from a complete ban to a 90-percent reduction in sales of such cars by 2035. Weber also noted that there would be no complete ban even by 2040, although he did not specify whether a new target date is being considered. The European Commission is expected to present the revised proposal as early as Tuesday.
Future for Hybrids and Alternative Fuels
Manfred Weber added that the EU can now pave the way for continued sales of plug-in hybrid models, including those with a greater electric range. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who was also present at the press conference, supported this decision, stating that it now provides the automotive sector with “real planning security.”
Earlier, in December, Merz personally appealed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging to allow the continued production and sale of ICE cars after the 2035 deadline. According to European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tsitsikostas, this letter was “very well received in Brussels.”
New Framework for Fuels
Although the Commission’s revised legislation has not yet been published, Tsitsikostas recently hinted that alternative fuels could occupy a more prominent place in the new framework. He named “zero- and low-carbon fuels, as well as advanced biofuels” as possible pathways for complying with future standards. This means that internal combustion engine cars using synthetic fuel or other recognized “neutral” fuel types could be eligible for sale even after 2035.
This policy change reflects the complex balance between ambitious decarbonization goals and the economic realities of a powerful European automotive industry. The transition is becoming more gradual and technologically neutral, giving manufacturers more time to adapt and consider diverse pathways to emission reduction, not just a full switch to battery electric vehicles. Such decisions could have a significant impact on global markets and automakers’ strategies worldwide, as the EU traditionally sets the tone in automotive regulation.
