THE industry established itself as a key pillar of the European Union in 2025driven by challenges such as global competitiveness, decarbonization and technological sovereignty. Countries such as Spain, France, Italy and Germany have led initiatives such as the Berlin Declaration, … signed by 17 countries, which prioritizes administrative simplification, artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector and leading markets for decarbonized materials.
In this context, the automotive sector – a key segment of the bloc’s economy, generating 8% of manufacturing value added and employing 13.8 million people (directly and indirectly) – received what could be considered a “Christmas gift” after EU opens to authorizing combustion engines beyond 2035.
The alerts launched by major European brands are causing a change of position and it seems that Brussels is ready to give in to pressure from Germanythis was confirmed by Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas in an interview with the German newspaper Handelsblatt, in which he said he was “open to all technologies”. It comes after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asked the Commission to take “highly efficient” fuel engines into account in its review. “This letter was well received,” assumed the commissioner.
The European Union will authorize combustion cars in 2035, under certain conditions
Of course, there are some nuances. Although technically, it would be allowed to continue approving combustion engines beyond 2035could only operate with fuels considered “clean”, the availability and price of which remain uncertain. This scenario, while it would make it possible to safeguard climate objectives, would call into question Merz’s desire to reactivate the European automobile industry: Developing advanced engines at a high cost could prove futile if consumers are deterred by shortages or high cost. fuels necessary for their operation.
December 10, a key date for the European Commission and the automotive sector
The exam is part of new EU “automotive package”whose presentation scheduled for December 10 could be delayed by a few weeks. Although maintains the decarbonization objective for 2050, It aims to protect the competitiveness of the European automobile industry in the face of the slow progress of electric cars and geopolitical tensions.
A few days ago, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse, during the opening of the group’s new factory in Debrecen (Hungary), had already spoken out in favor of the path to sustainable fuels. He also claimed that banning combustion engines in 2035 as planned would be a mistake.
This announcement does not mean the end of electrification, but rather the opening of a wider range of options. The Commission will continue to promote electric cars, but now recognizes that Combustion engines, powered by alternative fuels, must play a role during the transition. A new stage thus begins in European energy policy.
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