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 European parliament politician, a move likely to spark anger among 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 a total ban on combustion engines. Instead of requiring all new cars sold from 2035 to have zero CO₂ emissions, manufacturers would be expected to meet a 90% fleet-wide emissions reduction target, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain on the market.
The proposed change follows sustained pressure from Germany, Italy and much of Europe’s car industry, which argue that consumer demand for electric vehicles has not grown as quickly as anticipated and that a more gradual transition is needed to protect jobs. Weber said the shift would send an important signal to the automotive sector and help safeguard tens of thousands of industrial roles.
Green politicians and environmental groups have condemned the plan, warning it would weaken the EU’s flagship green deal. Some carmakers, including Volvo and Polestar, have also opposed the change, arguing it could give Chinese manufacturers an unfair advantage. The European Commission has said the 2035 deadline is still under discussion, citing increasing calls for greater flexibility on emissions targets.
