The European Parliament’s largest political group, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), plans to challenge the European Union’s 2035 ban on new CO2-emitting cars, arguing that the policy should be revised to allow alternative combustion technologies.
“It was a mistake to ban the combustion engine,” said Jens Gieseke, the EPP’s lead negotiator on car policies. “If fuels lead to a less carbon-intensive footprint, this should be recognised.”
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The EPP intends to use an upcoming policy review in the third or fourth quarter to push for amendments, including permitting sales of combustion engine vehicles running on synthetic fuels and biofuels, as well as extending plug-in hybrid models beyond 2035.
The 2035 ban, a key part of the EU’s green agenda, aims to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and curb transport emissions. However, critics argue that the policy places European automakers at a disadvantage, especially amid weak EV demand and growing competition from Chinese manufacturers.
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The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen of the EPP, has so far defended the 2035 target, emphasizing the need for regulatory certainty to drive investment. However, in a concession to carmakers, the Commission recently advanced a planned 2026 review of the policy to this year and extended the deadline for compliance with 2025 emissions limits from one year to three.
Gieseke said the 2035 ban could be brought into negotiations as early as next month if other EU lawmakers support revising the plan. Any changes would require approval from a majority in the European Parliament and a reinforced majority among EU member states.
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While Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany’s opposition leader Friedrich Merz have expressed support for revising the ban, a senior EU diplomat said most countries currently back maintaining the target.
Right-wing lawmakers have largely supported changes, but opposition remains from the Socialists and Greens, who advocate prioritizing EV adoption to keep European automakers competitive. Socialist EU lawmaker Mohammed Chahim criticized efforts to roll back the transition, warning against clinging to outdated technology.