The EU’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is expected to be watered down, according to a senior MEP, a move likely to trigger backlash from environmental groups.
Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s party in the European parliament, said the European Commission is preparing to soften the rule so it no longer amounts to a complete ban on combustion engines. Instead of requiring all new cars to produce zero CO₂ emissions from 2035, carmakers would be required to meet a 90% reduction target across their fleets, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain on sale.
The shift follows lobbying from Germany, Italy and much of the European car industry, which argue that electric vehicle uptake has been slower than expected and that greater flexibility is needed to protect jobs. Weber said the change would help secure tens of thousands of roles in Europe’s automotive sector.
Environmental campaigners and some manufacturers, including Volvo and Polestar, have warned the move risks undermining the EU’s green deal and could give Chinese rivals a competitive advantage. The European Commission said the 2035 deadline is still under discussion, with increasing calls for flexibility on CO₂ targets.
