The European Union’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is set to be watered down, according to a senior MEP, in a move likely to spark backlash 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. Rather than requiring all new cars to have zero CO₂ emissions from 2035, manufacturers would instead face a 90% reduction target across their vehicle fleets, allowing some hybrid models to remain on sale.
The proposed change follows pressure from Germany, Italy and major carmakers, who argue that electric vehicle uptake has been slower than anticipated and that greater flexibility is needed to protect jobs in Europe’s automotive industry. Weber said the shift would help secure tens of thousands of industrial roles.
Environmental campaigners, along with some manufacturers such as Volvo and Polestar, have criticised the move, warning it risks weakening the EU’s green deal and giving an advantage to Chinese competitors. The European Commission has said discussions on the 2035 deadline are ongoing, citing increasing demand for flexibility in CO₂ targets.
