Posted on 16 Dec 2025
The European Union is watering down its 2035 ban on new internal combustion engine vehicle sales, Kallanish understands.
Manfred Weber, the head of the conservative European People’s Party, told German newspaper Bild that automakers will be required to cut emissions by 90% by 2035, compared to 100% previously. A 100% target will not be implemented from 2040, he said.
“This means the technology ban on combustion engines is off the table. All engines currently built in Germany can therefore continue to be produced and sold,” Weber was quoted as saying. “We remain committed to climate neutrality. But we are also ensuring technological neutrality.”
Following intensive lobbying from the automotive industry, as well as support from the governments of Germany, Italy, and Poland, the EU is expected to announce the new measure next week. While the revision is planned for adoption next Wednesday, discussions are ongoing and final details of the review have yet to be confirmed, a spokesperson said at a press conference in Brussels on Friday.
The 2035 ICE ban, which was formally adopted by the bloc in March 2023, is backed by ChargeUp Europe – a group of over 200 companies which have already invested in electrifying their fleets.
According to campaign group T&E, the move will have “devastating consequences for future competitiveness,” as European carmakers risk being surpassed by Chinese OEMs, which are already making inroads in the market with cheap battery electric vehicles (BEVs). T&E also argues that technology neutrality will ultimately raise prices for consumers, as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and biofuels are more expensive than BEVs.
Source:Kallanish
