The EU’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is set to be softened, according to a senior MEP, in a move likely to anger environmental campaigners.
Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s party in the European parliament, said the European Commission is expected to move away from an outright ban on combustion engines. Instead of requiring all new cars sold from 2035 to have zero CO₂ emissions, manufacturers would face a 90% fleet-wide emissions reduction target, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain on the market.
The proposed change follows pressure from Germany, Italy and much of the European car industry, which argue that consumer uptake of electric vehicles has been slower than anticipated and that greater flexibility is needed to protect jobs. Weber said the shift would send an important signal to the automotive sector and help secure tens of thousands of industrial roles.
Environmental groups and some manufacturers, including Volvo and Polestar, have criticised the plan, warning it would weaken the EU’s green deal and risk giving Chinese electric carmakers a competitive edge. The European Commission said discussions on the 2035 deadline are ongoing, amid increasing calls for more flexible CO₂ targets.
