Under the plan proposed by the European Union (EU), new combustion engines would effectively be banned after 2035. But as electric car enthusiasm cools and more automakers reinvest in combustion technology, the EU has officially decided to ease its restrictions.
According to Reutersthe EU has revised its ambitious 2035 target and plans to ease restrictions on combustion engines. The original proposal aimed to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicle tailpipes by 100 percent compared to 2021 figures by forcing carmakers to go all-electric.
Officials now say the goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 90 percent compared to 2021. That means hybrids, plug-in hybrids and longer-range EVs will be allowed to remain on the market after 2035. The remaining 10 percent of emissions will have to be offset with things like low-carbon steel produced in the EU, or synthetic e-fuels and biofuels.
It has long been rumored that the EU would lift restrictions. Earlier this month it was reported that the EU was considering reversing the decision. And earlier this week, the head of the European People’s Party (EPP) confirmed the news to the German newspaper Imagesaying:
‘For new registrations from 2035 onwards, a 90 percent reduction in CO2 emissions will now be mandatory for car manufacturers’ fleet targets, instead of 100 percent. From 2040 onwards there will no longer be a 100% target. This means that the technology ban on combustion engines is off the table. All engines that are now built in Germany can therefore continue to be produced and sold.’
Car manufacturers will have a three-year period between 2030 and 2032 to reduce CO2 emissions from cars by 55 percent compared to 2021 levels. The need for vans, meanwhile, will drop from 50 to 40 percent.
This decision comes after pressure from the German, Italian and European automotive sectors. Brands such as Volkswagen Group and Stellantis specifically said that the proposal would be difficult to achieve. The EU ultimately agrees.
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