Mr Viral
The European Union adopted a policy and regulatory framework two years ago that would mark the end of sales of new cars with internal combustion engines (ICEs) by 2035. But after a series of warnings from the industry, weak sales of electric models, and growing concerns about jobs, that plan is starting to change.
In an interview with Handelsblatt, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tsitsikostas confirmed that ICEs will still have a future, but with an important condition: they will only use low-emission fuels.
The change of direction is the result of political pressure, and in particular a letter sent by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Ursula von der Leyen asking for a more flexible approach. According to sources in the Commission, his message was met with a surprisingly positive reception. Tsitsikostas emphasizes that the EU wants an “economically sustainable and socially just” transition to climate-neutral power plants and that “all technological solutions” that can reduce emissions are considered.
These include synthetic fuels and biofuels such as HVO100, which reduces emissions by up to ninety percent and is already used in some BMW and Audi models. Porsche is producing e-fuels in Chile in a process with a nearly carbon-free footprint, combining water, CO₂ and wind energy. These solutions could allow the SUS engine to be maintained beyond 2035, at least in a technologically adapted form.
At the same time, the market is changing at its own pace. Electric cars in Europe account for 18.3 percent of sales since the beginning of the year, while hybrids are the most popular with 34.7 percent. Plug-in hybrids, with a share of 9.4 percent, have overtaken diesels for the first time.
The vast majority of European and American manufacturers welcome the abandonment of the strict ban, but there are also opposing views. Volvo and Polestar, owned by China’s Geely, openly advocate keeping the original deadline.
The EU was supposed to present the revised package of measures on December 10th, but the discussion was postponed until the end of the month.
Also See: Stellantis Opposes The EU’s 2035 Ban On ICEs
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