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 group, said the European Commission is expected to drop what he described as a “technology ban” on combustion engines. Instead of requiring all new cars sold from 2035 to have zero CO₂ emissions, carmakers would face a 90% reduction target across their fleets, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain on the market.
The proposed change follows sustained lobbying from Germany, Italy and major car manufacturers, who argue that electric vehicle adoption has been slower than anticipated and that greater flexibility is needed to protect jobs in the automotive sector. Weber said the shift would send an important signal to industry and help secure tens of thousands of roles.
Environmental groups and some manufacturers, including Volvo and Polestar, have criticised the move, warning it would weaken the EU’s green deal and risk giving Chinese rivals a competitive edge. The European Commission has said the 2035 deadline is still under discussion, amid increasing pressure for more flexibility on emissions targets.
