The EU (European Union) has postponed by a week the launch of proposals for the automotive sector that could weaken the ban on new combustion cars in 2035, the European Commission confirmed this Monday (8).
Earlier, a draft Commission agenda seen by Reuters showed the bloc would delay publication of the auto package, as well as its plan to extend its pioneering carbon tariff to include washing machines and other manufactured goods.
Both were scheduled for Wednesday (10), but are now scheduled for December 16.
A Commission spokesperson confirmed the new date for the auto proposals, but declined to confirm deadlines for other policies.
Negotiations continue as EU departments fight for a place on the agenda to publish proposals by the end of the year.
Auto emissions policy for 2035 is being closely watched by automakers and governments, including Germany and Italy, who want the EU to allow continued sales of plug-in hybrid cars and combustion engine cars running on so-called CO2-neutral fuels, such as those produced from crops or waste.
In its current form, the measure would effectively ban the sale of new cars equipped with a combustion engine.
European automakers say they need policy flexibility to cope with slower-than-expected sales of electric vehicles and fierce competition from China.
However, a weakening of this policy could undermine the EU’s climate goals, as it would mean more CO2-emitting cars on European roads by 2050, when the EU has committed to reaching net zero emissions across its economy.
Some EU officials have suggested the proposals could be further delayed until 2026.
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