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The European Commission has decided to soften its original plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, now allowing 10% of new car sales to be non-zero-emission. This change comes after significant lobbying from car manufacturers, particularly in Germany, who argued for concessions due to current low demand for electric vehicles.

 

Originally, the plan mandated all new vehicles sold starting in 2035 to be "zero emissions," but under the revised scheme, 90% of new cars must meet this requirement. The European carmakers association, ACEA, highlighted that without this adjustment, manufacturers could face "multi-billion euro" penalties. The Commission also aims to increase the use of biofuels and e-fuels to counterbalance emissions.

 

Critics warn that this move could hamper the EU's transition to electric vehicles and heighten competition from abroad. Transport group T&E stresses that the UK should not reduce its targets under the Zero Emission Vehicles Mandate. T&E UK's director, Anna Krajinska, insists that maintaining current policies is essential to continue fostering industry innovation and jobs.

 

Sigrid de Vries of ACEA emphasised the need for "flexibility" for manufacturers because market readiness lags behind policy deadlines. She pointed out the necessity of expanding charging infrastructure and sustaining supportive incentives. Similarly, UK carmakers are appealing for improved incentives to promote electric vehicle purchases, noting the impending 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.

 

Volvo has already shifted towards a full electric vehicle portfolio and emphasised that short-term policy relaxations could weaken Europe’s long-term industrial competitiveness. Conversely, Volkswagen supported the Commission’s draft, praising its pragmatic approach to CO₂ targets and special support for small electric cars.

 

Experts like Colin Walker from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit believe that consistent government policies are crucial for fostering investment in necessary infrastructure, citing Nissan’s North East production line as an example. Fiona Howarth of Octopus Electric Vehicles warns that altering UK goals in line with Brussels’ changes could deter current and future investments from the automotive industry, reported the BBC.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• EU shifts stance, allowing 10% of new cars to be non-zero-emission by 2035.
• Critics argue this change may slow the transition to electric vehicles.
• Consistent policy is deemed necessary to sustain industry investments.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-17

 

 

 

Net Zero and 'climate change' is  a scam to extract more money from the ordinary people but at the same time it is decimating manufacturing and innovation  that requires reliable cheap energy.

Forcing/mandating things is not the way to go  be it  vaccines or cars

or anything else...if the benefits are clear and obvious then people will choose it for themself  no need for 'government' intervention and compulsion. 

A stupid idea to start with.

 

Expect this to get gradually softened, amended etc. until they sell the same amount of petrol cars they would have done without EU interference. 

 

Still, it makes the EU technocrats look like they are doing something.

 

 

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Still, it makes the EU technocrats look like they are doing something.

They are always doing something...something nefarious that harms and impoverishes the people they claim to serve !     in fact they think they are the masters and 'the people' serve them. 

16 minutes ago, johng said:

They are always doing something...something nefarious that harms and impoverishes the people they claim to serve !     in fact they think they are the masters and 'the people' serve them. 

 

Yeah the citizens of the EU nation states should really vote them ou... oh wait a minute.

21 hours ago, johng said:

Net Zero and 'climate change' is  a scam to extract more money from the ordinary people but at the same time it is decimating manufacturing and innovation  that requires reliable cheap energy.

Forcing/mandating things is not the way to go  be it  vaccines or cars

or anything else...if the benefits are clear and obvious then people will choose it for themself  no need for 'government' intervention and compulsion. 

Yes, the good news is that people in Government power around the world are starting to wake up to how stupid  and expensive getting to the net zero dream really is and are starting to back down .If electric cars  were so good why do they have to offer subsidies and rebates to get people to buy them.