EU's 2035 Ban on Petrol and Diesel Cars Faces Potential Reversal

The European Union's ambitious plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 may be significantly altered, according to a senior politician from the European Parliament. Manfred Weber, an MEP and president of the European People's Party, announced that the cutoff date for ending sales of combustion engine vehicles is likely to be softened in an upcoming announcement by the European Commission. This move could spark controversy, especially among environmental advocates, who view it as a potential setback to the EU's pivotal green initiatives. Established two years ago, the deal mandates that all new vehicles introduced to the market from 2035 must have zero CO2 emissions, effectively phasing out hybrid models along with traditional fossil fuel cars. Weber expressed in an interview with Germany's Bild newspaper that the ban on combustion engines will be reconsidered, stating, "All engines currently manufactured in Germany can therefore continue to be produced and sold." Support from various political leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, alongside the automotive sector, has pushed for the retainment of hybrid vehicle sales. They argue that allowing the continued sale of such vehicles will facilitate a smoother transition to electric vehicles (EVs) for European manufacturers. This change could be celebrated as a win for practicality, enabling carmakers additional time to adapt to the evolving marketplace. Contrarily, this adjustment is meeting opposition not only from green-focused politicians but also from some manufacturers like Volvo and Polestar, who argue that delaying the deadline may disadvantage European companies against their Chinese competitors in the expanding EV market. Weber indicated that this rule alteration would serve as a significant signal to the automotive industry and would protect numerous industrial jobs amid growing concerns over the sustainability of one of Europe's key economic sectors. He suggested that the European Commission might allow the sale of plug-in hybrid cars with advanced electric capabilities alongside traditional combustion engines, particularly for longer journeys equivalent to about 373 miles (600 kilometers). Instead of the previously mandated 100% reduction in CO2 emissions for car manufacturers' fleet targets by 2035, a revised target of a 90% reduction is now in discussion. Paula Pinho, a spokesperson for the European Commission, stated that deliberations concerning the 2035 deadline remain ongoing, echoing Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's acknowledgments of demands for increased flexibility surrounding CO2 targets. A collective of leading auto manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Stellantis, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, advocates for shifting the ban, claiming that consumer adoption of EVs has not reached anticipated levels since the original decision in 2022. Alongside these potential changes, the EU plans to introduce a suite of measures aimed at promoting the manufacturing and purchasing of smaller EVs, paralleling successful incentives observed in Japan for similar lightweight vehicles. Authorities are inspired by Norway's outstanding performance in EV adoption, where over 90% of new car sales in 2025 were electric due to favorable tax exemptions and incentives. In stark contrast, southern European countries struggle with EV adoption, primarily driven by insufficient infrastructure, with Italy currently seeing only 12% of its market comprised of electric vehicles as of November. As discussions continue within the EU, the balance between environmental goals and the automotive industry's future remains precariously poised, reflecting the broader tensions between innovation, climate action, and economic stability. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2