Internal combustion engines even after 2035? MEPs backed softer rules.
The European Parliament committee backed softer emission targets and concessions for European electric vehicles. A decision on changing the rules for 2035 has not yet been made.
Room for internal combustion engines
A new car with an internal combustion engine could still be available in the European Union after 2035. The European Parliament’s Environment Committee supported easing emission requirements for automakers. The proposal passed on November 4 with 48 votes in favor, 30 against, and two abstentions.
For new passenger cars, the committee proposes reducing CO₂ emissions by 87.5% compared to the 2021 reference value. Current rules require a 100% reduction by 2035. The European Commission previously suggested a 90% reduction, but lawmakers now want to go even further.
For manufacturers, this would create room to include internal combustion engines in their offerings as well. Their scale would depend on the emissions of the entire fleet sold. Therefore, the proposed percentages cannot directly determine how many gasoline, diesel, or hybrid vehicles individual brands are allowed to sell.
The remaining emissions would be offset by car manufacturers through credits for low-carbon steel produced in the EU. For passenger cars, these credits could cover an additional maximum of 7.5 percentage points of the reference value, bringing the total requirement including offsets to 95%. By the end of 2034, steel credits could contribute up to three percentage points in helping to meet the targets.
The committee also wants to expand the definition of zero-emission vehicles to include cars that run exclusively on selected renewable and low-carbon fuels. The condition would be meeting the established criteria for such fuels.
European electric vehicles will benefit
The proposal includes support for electric vehicles manufactured in the European Union. Small models with a length of up to 4.2 meters would be counted as 1.4 vehicles when calculating a manufacturer’s average emissions, while highly efficient electric vehicles would be counted as 1.2 vehicles. This would enable manufacturers to meet emission targets more easily. For vehicles under social leasing, the coefficients would increase to 1.5 and 1.3.
The committee also proposes greater relief for vans. For 2030, it calls for a 35% reduction in emissions instead of the current 50%. By 2035, the target would drop from the current 100% to 80%.
Decision pending further voting
The approval by the committee does not change existing rules. The Parliament’s legislative timetable indicates a preliminary date of 14 December 2026 for debate in plenary. This will be followed by negotiations with the EU Council, which represents the member states.
To implement these changes, the requirement for a 100% reduction in CO₂ emissions remains in effect for new passenger cars and vans by 2035. These rules apply to newly registered vehicles. They do not restrict the use of cars already owned by drivers, nor do they limit the sale of used vehicles.
Sources:
Original text / Elektrickevozy.cz
European Parliament – legislative process and timeline
Lovguiden – summary of the European Parliament report
IRU – changes to emission rules and further approvals
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