Automobile: the EU steps back from a full electric ban by 2035

Yesterday 08:00

By: Sahili Aya

Automobile: the EU steps back from a full electric ban by 2035

The European Union has decided to soften its plan to impose a full transition to electric vehicles by 2035, amid growing difficulties faced by the automotive industry across Europe. The decision, announced on Tuesday, reflects a more flexible and pragmatic approach rather than a complete reversal of climate ambitions.

Under the revised framework, car manufacturers will still be allowed to sell a limited number of new vehicles equipped with combustion or hybrid engines after 2035, provided they meet strict conditions. These include significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and the obligation to compensate for any remaining emissions.

European officials insist that the long-term objective remains unchanged. The sector is still expected to achieve full decarbonization by 2050. According to the European Commission, the new approach takes into account consumer behavior, industrial constraints and intense global competition, particularly from China and the United States.

Reactions across Europe have been mixed. Some governments and manufacturers welcomed a decision they see as economically realistic, while environmental organizations criticized what they view as a setback for climate action. At the same time, the Commission unveiled measures to support electric mobility, including incentives for greener corporate fleets and financial aid for battery production within Europe.