Manfred Weber, Chairman of the conservative EPP group in the European Parliament, has expressed intentions to revisit the recently established ban on combustion engines in the EU by 2035 if his group secures a majority following the mid-2024 elections. The ban, ratified in late March, prohibits the registration of new cars and light commercial vehicles with combustion engines. Despite the earlier decision, conservatives, led by Weber, are pushing for a review of the regulation in 2026, aiming to reverse the combustion engine ban.
Weber highlighted the desire to address what he perceives as a disadvantageous decision, particularly the competitive challenges faced by the EU. The conservatives had previously managed to incorporate a review clause into the legislation, providing an opportunity to reassess and potentially overturn the ban on combustion engines.
Simultaneously, the German liberal party FDP continues to advocate for the possibility of registering combustion engines after 2035, contingent on ensuring exclusive use of synthetic fuels. This stance underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the absolute approval of the combustion engine phase-out by 2035.
The outcome of the European elections in June 2024 is poised to significantly influence the trajectory of e-mobility in the EU. Stellantis, a major player in the automotive industry, has voiced its anticipation of a potentially slower ramp-up of electromobility, with CEO Carlos Tavares citing the uncertainty surrounding public opinion and political dynamics in the upcoming EU Parliament and US House of Representatives elections.
