EU scraps 2035 combustion engine ban

As many expected, the European Union has scrapped its plan to ban the sale of combustion-engine cars from 2035.

Instead, from 2035 onwards, carmakers will need to comply with a 90 per cent tailpipe emissions reduction target, while the remaining 10 per cent emissions will need to be compensated through the use of low-carbon steel produced in the EU, or from e-fuels and biofuels.

This means plug-in hybrids (PHEV), range extenders, mild-hybrids, and internal combustion engine vehicles can still be sold as new beyond 2035, in addition to full electric (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles.

The decision by the EU to reverse its 2035 combustion-engine ban comes following growing opposition to the deadline as being unrealistic, with Germany, Italy and Hungary lobbying against it.

Electric cars remain more expensive than comparable petrol models, and the charging infrastructure still leaves much to be desired in many parts of the Europe.