The European Commission is reportedly preparing a new regulation that would effectively prohibit the purchase of vehicles with combustion engines for rental fleets and company car programs. According to sources within the EU cited by “Bild am Sonntag”, the proposed ban would come into effect from 2030, impacting a significant portion of new vehicle sales.
The regulation, which would affect approximately 60% of the new vehicle market currently served by rental companies and corporate fleets, leaving private customers largely unaffected. Across the EU, 10.6 million vehicles were sold last year.
The Commission is expected to formally present the proposed rules in late summer, following which they will be submitted to the European Parliament and Council for approval. While confirming that work is underway on a new regulatory framework, a Commission spokesperson declined to provide specific details.
The announcement has already drawn criticism. Markus Ferber, a Member of the European Parliament from the CSU party, has urged Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reconsider the proposal, voicing concern that it would lead to the acquisition of electric vehicles solely to meet quota requirements.
Industry representatives have also voiced reservations. Nico Gabriel, a board member at Sixt, described the planned ban as impractical, suggesting that it could negatively impact consumer behavior and limit vehicle leasing options. He further emphasized a lack of adequate charging infrastructure across the EU, predicting that such a regulation would likely result in higher vehicle rental costs.