The EU’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is set to be weakened, according to a senior MEP, in a move likely to provoke strong opposition from environmental groups.
Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s party in the European parliament, said the European Commission is expected to soften the rule so it no longer amounts to a total ban on combustion engines. Instead of requiring all new cars to have zero CO₂ emissions from 2035, manufacturers would need to meet a 90% fleet-wide emissions reduction target, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain on sale.
The change follows pressure from Germany, Italy and much of the European car industry, which argue that the transition to electric vehicles is progressing more slowly than anticipated and that flexibility is needed to protect jobs. Weber said the shift would help secure tens of thousands of roles in the automotive sector.
Environmental campaigners and some manufacturers, including Volvo and Polestar, have criticised the move, warning it could undermine the EU’s green deal and give Chinese competitors an advantage. The European Commission said discussions on the 2035 deadline are ongoing, with increasing calls for greater flexibility on CO₂ targets.
