The European Commission is reportedly linking a potential easing of its planned combustion engine ban to a significantly accelerated rollout of electric commercial vehicle fleets, according to sources within industry and diplomatic circles cited by the Handelsblatt. The proposed shift, slated for formal presentation as part of a comprehensive CO2 regulation package on December 20th, signals a potentially contentious shift in the EU’s approach to decarbonizing the transport sector.
Under the plan, a minimum of 50% of all new company cars, rental vehicles and lease cars across the EU would need to be emission-free by 2027, escalating to a 90% quota by 2030. This aggressive timeline is being presented as a quid pro quo for any potential relaxation of the current prohibition on new combustion engine vehicles slated to take effect in 2035. While Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is reportedly open to compromise on the outright ban, the proposal suggests a strategic pivot toward mandating the electrification of commercial fleets as the primary lever for emissions reduction.
The implications for the auto industry and fleet operators are substantial. Industry representatives are voicing strong concerns, with figures like Nico Gabriel, Executive Board Member of Sixt, warning of a “de facto premature combustion engine ban”. Oliver Zipse, CEO of BMW, previously criticized the fleet regulation for effectively prescribing technology, suggesting that it risked hindering broader environmental progress regardless of its impact on actual CO2 reduction. This argument highlights a growing divide within the sector regarding the most effective and economically viable pathways to achieving EU climate goals.
Critics argue that the proposed shift prioritizes a specific technological solution without sufficient consideration for alternative fuel technologies and the diverse operational realities of commercial fleets. Furthermore, the rapid acceleration risked exacerbating supply chain challenges and potentially widening the economic disparities amongst member states, with implications for job security and regional competitiveness. The December proposal is expected to spark intense lobbying and debate as stakeholders grapple with the balance between ambition, feasibility and economic practicality within the crucial sector.