What's happened
The European Union is set to revise its 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, amid lobbying from industry and member states. The move would allow hybrids and internal combustion vehicles to be sold beyond the deadline, signaling a shift from the EU's previous climate commitments and raising concerns about its green transition.
What's behind the headline?
The EU's proposed rollback on the 2035 car ban reveals a strategic shift driven by economic and geopolitical pressures. Industry lobbying by Germany, Italy, and other member states has successfully influenced policy, prioritizing short-term industry survival over long-term climate goals. This move risks undermining Europe's leadership in green mobility, as it signals a retreat from clear, consistent climate commitments. The decision benefits traditional automakers, especially premium brands like Porsche and BMW, which struggle with EV transition and rely on combustion engines' allure. Meanwhile, it complicates Europe's position in the global EV race, where Chinese firms like BYD are expanding rapidly despite tariffs. The EU's shift may also impact its credibility on climate action, especially as other major economies like the US under Trump retreat from environmental commitments. Moving forward, Europe must balance industry interests with its climate ambitions by investing in infrastructure, incentives, and innovation, rather than watering down regulations that could slow the green transition and cede global leadership.
What the papers say
The Guardian reports that Brussels proposals to water down the 2035 ban reflect a loss of nerve in the EU, with industry lobbying and geopolitical concerns driving the shift. The New York Times highlights the economic pressures faced by European automakers, especially in competing with Chinese EV manufacturers. The Independent emphasizes the potential impact on the UK, which has its own stricter EV targets, and warns that the EU's move could hinder Europe's EV market growth. Reuters confirms that Germany's government has pushed for the policy change, framing it as a matter of technological openness and job security. These contrasting perspectives reveal a tension between environmental ambitions and economic realities, with industry interests increasingly shaping policy decisions.
How we got here
Originally, the EU's 2022 climate policy aimed to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 to meet its net zero targets. Industry lobbying, especially from Germany and Italy, has pushed for more flexible rules, citing economic and technological considerations. The move aligns with broader industry efforts to maintain traditional vehicle production amid declining EV adoption and rising Chinese competition.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Manfred Weber is a German politician who has served as Leader of the European People's Party in the European Parliament since 2014. He has been a Member of the European Parliament from Germany since 2004. He is a member of the Christian Social Union in Ba
-
Mercedes-Benz is both a German automotive marque and, from late 2019 onwards, a subsidiary of Daimler AG. Mercedes-Benz is known for producing luxury vehicles and commercial vehicles. The headquarters is in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The name first ap
-
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW AG), trading as BMW Group (commonly abbreviated to BMW (German pronunciation: [ˌbeːʔɛmˈveː] ), sometimes anglicised as Bavarian Motor Works), is a German multinational conglomerate manufacturer of lux
-
Friedrich Merz is a German lawyer and politician. A member of the Christian Democratic Union, he served as a Member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1994 and was elected to the Bundestag from 1994 until 2009, where he chaired the CDU/CSU parliament
-
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
-
Groupe Renault is a French multinational automobile manufacturer established in 1899. The company produces a range of cars and vans, and in the past has manufactured trucks, tractors, tanks, buses/coaches, aircraft and aircraft engines, and autorail vehic
-
Stellantis is the Dutch-based multinational automotive manufacturing corporation resulting of the merger of French automaker Groupe PSA and Italian-American automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, following completion of a 50-50 merger agreement.
-
Volkswagen, shortened to VW, is a German automaker founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front, known for the iconic Beetle and headquartered in Wolfsburg.
-
The European Parliament is one of three legislative branches of the European Union and one of its seven institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union, it adopts European legislation, normally on a proposal from the European Commission.
-
Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and the president of the European Commission since 1 December 2019. She served in the federal government of Germany from 2005 to 2019 as the longest-serving member of Angela Merkel's cabinet.
-
The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.