The European Union has cancelled its plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2035.

According to Germany’s Bild newspaper and later Reuters, the plan—which required all new cars sold in Europe from 2035 onward to be zero-emission and therefore effectively electric—has now been scrapped.

A new requirement will replace it, reportedly mandating a 90 percent reduction in tailpipe emissions, which is expected to force automakers to equip petrol and diesel models with hybrid technology.

Politician Manfred Weber stated, “For new registrations from 2035 onward, a 90 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions will become mandatory for manufacturers’ fleet targets, instead of the original 100 percent. And there will also be no 100 percent target in 2040. This means that the ban on combustion-engine technology is off the table.” His remarks contradict earlier European reports suggesting the combustion-engine ban would be pushed back five years to 2040.

Leaders of six European countries—Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Czechia, and Bulgaria—had submitted a letter to the European Commission requesting a review of the 2035 plan, proposing that plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCEVs) be included.

In addition, the European Commission is preparing to announce new regulations aimed at accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels in the automotive industry, with expected changes to how fuel economy and emissions are calculated for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

Source: CarExpert