EU: stop to cars with petrol or diesel engines from 2035, agreement reached

After the negotiators of the European Parliament and the 27 member states of the European Union reached an understanding, the Czech presidency of the EU declared that the Council and the European Parliament have reached an agreement and from 2035 they will no longer be sold in the European Union new vehicles with combustion engines. 

The deal is part of the EU's drive towards zero-emission mobility and could lead to the end of combustion engine cars and vans in the bloc.

The decision will be reviewed in 2026. The ban on sales is part of the EU climate change package, called Fit for 55, which aims to reduce climate-damaging emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The question of whether the sale of new combustion cars should be banned from 2035 has been the subject of a long dispute within the German government.

"The world is changing and we must remain at the forefront of innovation. I believe we can benefit from this technological transition.

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"We have an agreement! No wonder the first Fit for 55 agreement is on CO2 car standards: the pace of change in recent years has been truly remarkable. The EU car industry is ready, consumers they are eager to embrace zero-emission mobility. So let's go full speed ahead, "tweeted

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However

: "With today's agreement, a Havana effect is becoming more realistic. After 2035, our streets could be filled with vintage cars, because new cars are not available or not cheap. Today's agreement slammed the door to new technological developments and put all the eggs in one basket. This is a mistake, "said

on the new rules.

"Today's Europe is different from the Europe of a year and a half ago, when we started with the Green Deal legislation. However, today there was no confrontation with reality," he added. 

Reduce CO2 emissions by 55% for new cars and 50% for new vans by 2030 compared to 2021 levels and zero emissions for both new cars and vans by 2035. 

Translated: from 2035 no new petrol or diesel cars will be on sale in the EU.

The agreement also includes a wording on CO2-neutral fuels (so-called biofuels) whereby, after consultation with stakeholders, the Commission will present a proposal for the registration of vehicles running exclusively on CO2-neutral fuels after 2035.

A review clause is foreseen which will ensure that in 2026 the Commission fully assesses the progress made towards achieving the 100% emission reduction targets and the need to review these targets taking into account technological developments, including as regards technologies plug-in hybrids and the importance of a viable and socially just transition to zero emissions.

The regulatory incentive mechanism will be maintained for zero- and low-emission vehicles until 2030. As part of this mechanism, if a manufacturer meets certain benchmarks for the sale of zero- and low-emission vehicles it can be awarded CO2 targets less severe. 

The so-called Motor Valley amendment has been confirmed: manufacturers who produce 1,000 to 10,000 new cars (or 1,000 to 22,000 new vans) in a calendar year can be granted an exemption until the end of 2035 (those responsible for less of a thousand new vehicle registrations per year continue to be exempt). 

Parliament and the Council will have to formally approve the agreement before it can enter into force.