EU cuts CO2 emissions by 90% and eases ban on combustion engines by 2035

The European Commission prepares to lift planned ban by the EU of new cars with combustion engines from 2035, allowing the continued sale of certain non-electric vehicles after intense pressure from Germany, … Italy and the European automotive sector.

The European executive appears to have given in to the car manufacturers’ demand to be able to continue sale of plug-in hybrids and extended range vehicles which use biofuels or CO2-neutral synthetic fuels, as they struggle to compete with Tesla and Chinese electric vehicles.

Under current European regulations, all new cars from 2035 must have zero emissions. However, according to Tuesday’s proposal, the reduction of CO2 emissions will be will reduce by 90% from 2021 levels, instead of 100%.

Manfred Weber, German president of the EPP, the largest group in the European Parliament, said he believed the Commission had accepted the 90% level and that the gradual reduction still represented progress.