Leading EU politicians are pushing to further relax the European Union’s planned ban on combustion‑engine cars. Sources cited by “Handelsblatt” say that both the German federal cabinet and the European Parliament are considering an even softer version of the so‑called “combustion‑exit”. The European Commission had only recently introduced a draft that would ease emission rules starting in 2035, but the Union parties feel it does not go far enough.
Under the original EU plan, only new cars that do not produce climate‑damaging CO₂ would be allowed after 2035. The Commission’s proposal requires automakers to cut the CO₂ emissions of their entire vehicle fleet by 90 % compared with the 2021 reference year. The remaining 10 % could be offset by other measures, such as using green steel or climate‑friendly fuels.
The parties’ current aim is to reduce the target to 80 % and to drop the requirement for full offsetting through other measures. They also question the EU’s directive mandating the conversion of corporate fleet cars to electric power. EU MEP Jens Gieseke (CDU) warned that both the automotive industry and the EU’s competitiveness are at stake and called for the Commission’s proposal to be “significantly improved”. The federal government’s stance on the issue is still unclear. The environment ministry, led by the SPD, has so far opposed any further softening of the combustion ban and declined to comment. According to a spokesperson from the economy ministry, also led by the CDU, the regulation should “enable flexibility and openness to technology”.