The European Commission is preparing to scrap plans for an effective ban on new combustion engine cars from 2035, according to Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament.
“Next Tuesday, the European Commission will be putting forward a clear proposal to abolish the ban on combustion engines,” Weber told a press conference in Heidelberg, Germany.
Weber said the ban would be replaced by a requirement for automakers to cut fleet-wide CO2 emissions by 90% from 2035, rather than meeting a full zero-emissions target. He added that under the revised approach there would be no 100% emissions reduction target from 2040 onwards, offering carmakers more flexibility in how they meet climate goals.
The proposed shift reflects mounting pressure from parts of Europe’s automotive industry, particularly in Germany, where manufacturers and suppliers have warned of rising competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers and slowing demand growth in Europe. Major automakers have argued that strict rules risk undermining investment and jobs.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said electric vehicles would remain central to Europe’s decarbonisation strategy but stressed the need for “technological openness,” including the use of synthetic fuels. “This now gives the industry real planning security,” Merz said.
The planned ban has been a cornerstone of the EU’s climate policy, aimed at accelerating the transition to zero-emission transport. Any rollback would mark a significant change in direction as Brussels weighs environmental targets against industrial competitiveness.