Brussels (ANSA) – In a surprising yet anticipated turnaround, Brussels has decided to halt the total ban on the sale of combustion engines starting in 2035. This shift, a response to increasing pressure from industries and government bodies, marks a significant change in the Green Deal narrative. Following a year of discussions with the struggling automotive sector, the EU Commission is revising the emissions regulation, allowing car manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% from 2021 levels instead of the previously planned 100%.
The revision, approved in Strasbourg after lengthy negotiations among the commissioners, creates an opportunity for the continued sale of combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and range extenders beyond 2035, rather than limiting the market to electric or hydrogen-powered cars.
Automakers will be required to compensate for the remaining 10% of emissions through ‘credits’ which can be earned by using low-emission steel produced in Europe for vehicle manufacturing or by employing sustainable fuels, including e-fuels and advanced biofuels, as long as they are not derived from food sources. EU estimates suggest that 30-35% of vehicles in the market after 2035 will be permitted to be non-electric.
Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU executive, stated, “Europe remains at the forefront of the global transition towards a clean economy,” aiming to reassure that this revision won’t compromise the EU’s transition objectives. However, Adolfo Urso, the minister for enterprises and made in Italy, described the outcome from Strasbourg as a “breach in the wall of ideology,” highlighting Rome’s influence in promoting the principle of technological neutrality now acknowledged in the updated regulations.
On the other hand, Emanuele Orsini, president of Confindustria, criticized the decision as “too little,” urging the EU to take decisive action rather than half measures. Stellantis viewed the choice as a preliminary step, stating it doesn’t adequately address the sector’s challenges, particularly regarding commercial vehicles, while acknowledging the support for small cars.
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