Vote on ending internal combustion engines in the EU Parliament is postponed
Image: Mercedes‑Benz (illustrative)
A planned vote in the European Parliament’s Transport Committee on relaxing the ban on internal combustion engines is being postponed, according to Spiegel. It was scheduled for Monday, as confirmed to the news magazine by a spokesperson for the EVP group and the office of CDU lawmaker Jens Gieseke. Several sources suggest a two-week delay.
The EU Commission proposed at the end of last year to relax the targets for 2035. Instead of the previously planned 100 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions from new cars, the goal under the Commission’s proposal would now be only 90 percent reduction compared to 2021. The remaining 10 percent could be offset, among other things, through credits for sustainable fuels and CO₂-low steel produced in the EU. This could allow plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles with so-called range extenders, mild hybrids, and cars with conventional internal combustion engines to continue playing a role beyond 2035.
Three committees and the plenary of the European Parliament are set to decide on their positions in the coming weeks. According to the report, the EVP group, which includes CDU and CSU, aims to go beyond the Commission’s proposal. Whether it can secure a majority with Social Democrats and Liberals remains uncertain.
The debate comes at a difficult time for the German and European automotive industry. Manufacturers are facing increasing international competition, especially from China, while high production and energy costs, trade conflicts, and a weak market environment add to the pressures. Sales of European and German manufacturers in China, a major market, are also under severe strain. In Germany, this is compounded by partially low factory utilization rates and job cuts.
According to Spiegel, EVP faction leader Manfred Weber calls for a framework that combines climate protection with the competitiveness of the automotive industry. “I hope for a stable and clear agreement among the political center,” he is quoted as saying. SPD lawmaker Vivien Costanzo stated, “We want to give the automotive industry more time, but without questioning the goal that Europe should lead in zero-emission vehicles.” Those who want to succeed in markets such as Asia or Canada must electrify their vehicles.
Four years ago, the European Parliament decided by a majority of Social Democrats, Liberals, Greens, and Leftists that new cars in the EU must not emit CO₂ starting in 2035. Otherwise, manufacturers face billion-dollar fines. In practice, the industry would then be allowed to sell mainly new electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered cars. The automotive industry has voiced strong criticism of this regulation, with an increasing number of politicians also calling for it to be relaxed.
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About the author
Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with experience in the automotive and financial industries. Since 2011, he has been covering electric cars, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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