The European Union has reversed its planned phase-out of internal combustion engines by 2035, with a senior lawmaker announcing that automakers must now achieve only a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions from new vehicles and vans compared to 2021 levels.
Manfred Weber, head of the center-right European People’s Party, stated that “from 2035 onwards, a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions will now be mandatory for automakers’ fleet targets.”
The bloc had previously committed to cutting vehicle emissions by 100% by 2035 under regulations adopted in March 2023. Weber’s announcement follows criticism from major European car manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Last month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen requesting greater flexibility for the automotive industry due to severe economic challenges.
Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have reported declining sales this year as Asian demand has slumped while local electric vehicle producers gain market share. The sector also faces rising energy costs after the EU’s decision to cut Russian oil and gas imports following the 2022 Ukraine conflict.
