European Union Proposes Changes to Emissions Law

The European Union has proposed changes to a 2023 law that would effectively ban the sale of new internal combustion engine cars from 2035. Instead of reducing CO2 emissions by 100% compared to 2021, car manufacturers would have to reduce them by 90%, meaning small-scale production of gasoline or hybrid cars could continue.

Background

The original law aimed to completely eliminate CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035, but the automotive industry and some member states have pushed hard for the rules to be relaxed given the slow market growth for electric vehicles.

Relaxation of Rules

The proposed changes would allow car manufacturers to continue producing small numbers of gasoline or hybrid cars, as long as they meet the 90% reduction target. This would provide some flexibility for manufacturers who are struggling to transition to electric vehicles.

Impact on the Automotive Industry

The relaxation of the rules would be a welcome relief for the automotive industry, which has been lobbying hard for a more gradual transition to electric vehicles. However, environmental groups have expressed concerns that the changes would undermine the EU’s climate goals and slow the transition to cleaner transportation.

Next Steps

The proposed changes will need to be approved by EU member states and the European Parliament before they can come into effect. The outcome is uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether the changes will be adopted or if the original law will be upheld.