EU 2035 ban on internal combustion engines: Germany wins partial reversal

Updated on 16 December at 17:25: AFP has just reported that the European Union is abandoning plans to require an all-electric market by 2035. The end of internal combustion engines will therefore not be confirmed in 10 years’ time, as combustion-powered models will continue to be sold. The conditions will be tighter and the share of internal combustion vehicles will be restricted, but they will remain available. In response to the difficulties facing the motor industry, Stéphane Séjourné, the European Commissioner responsible for industrial strategy and prosperity, welcomed the EU’s “pragmatic” approach.

Original article:

Even before 10 December, when the European Commission was due to unveil the details of its new roadmap for the 2035 ban on the sale of internal combustion engines, members of the institution were keen to reveal the news. In an interview with German publication Handelsblatt, several Commissioners indicated that the EU would ultimately not rule out the sale of cars with internal combustion engines in 10 years’ time.

The revised roadmap would no longer include an outright ban, following pressure from certain manufacturers - notably Mercedes and Volkswagen - as well as from Germany. Seeking to protect jobs and the economy, the country campaigned for future rules to be eased. Within the Commission, right-wing representatives, who hold the majority, have been the strongest supporters of this change.

Germany, Italy and France push for greater flexibility

Germany has consistently led the lobbying group within the European Commission. However, Italy is also clearly opposed to the European Green Deal and has aligned itself with Germany. Taking a middle-ground position, France has joined its two neighbours, although Paris had said it was open to greater flexibility.

A member of the Socialist Party, European Commissioner for Competition Teresa Ribera has opposed this reform - which has also divided public opinion - and has argued for maintaining the plan to phase out internal combustion engines from all new cars in 2035. More broadly, Spain is among the countries defending the ban, particularly as it is highly open to Chinese investment in electric vehicles. Denmark is also part of this group.

According to the initial statements made to the press on 3 December by the Commissioners who chose to speak out, including Greek Transport Commissioner Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas, changes are indeed coming, although they will be tightly regulated.

End of the internal combustion engine in 2035: what the reversal means ahead of 10 December

Europe is scaling back its ban, but only in part. The proposal is not expected to involve completely removing the ban and relying solely on emissions caps, as is currently the case. The European Commission does intend to revise the rules, but internal combustion engines sold in new cars would have to meet strict conditions. Moreover, the relaxation may apply to only one category of customer.

Strict fuel rules for company vehicle fleets

The strict requirements would concern the fuel used by the engines: only biofuels or e-fuels, meaning synthetic fuels, would be permitted. As for the customers affected, the measure may be limited to businesses and their vehicle fleets. Sales of cars to private buyers could still be banned in 2035. That said, no information is available regarding internal combustion engines used in hybrid systems, including plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), or in electric vehicles fitted with range extenders.

Speaking to the German outlet, Transport Commissioner Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas said that he was open to every technology. He added that, in his view, the European Union’s new automotive roadmap would include “all technological developments, including the role of zero- and low-emission fuels, as well as advanced biofuels”.