The European Union has effectively shelved plans for a complete ban on internal combustion engine vehicles.
After tense negotiations in Brussels, it was decided to cancel the requirement for a 100% reduction in CO₂ emissions from 2035. Instead, a softer target will be introduced for motorists — a 90% reduction in emissions. This means that gasoline and diesel cars will still be able to enter the EU market, albeit in a limited volume, writes Bild.
Manfred Weber, head of the European People's Party faction, confirmed that even after 2040, the production of new internal combustion engine cars will not be completely banned in the EU.
According to Weber, this decision allows for the continued production of all types of engines currently manufactured in Germany. For buyers, this means that the choice remains: after 2035, both new internal combustion engine cars and used ones will be available for purchase.
However, much remains unclear. In Brussels, for example, it is still being discussed what exactly the "ten-percent window" for internal combustion engines means: a share of cars or the total volume of emissions.
"A technologically open and practical approach that takes into account global trends and preserves industrial added value in Europe remains decisive," said Hildegard Müller, head of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, in an interview with Bild.
According to a ZDF Politbarometer survey, 63% of German citizens believe that new gasoline and diesel cars should remain permitted even after 2035.
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