Germany and the European Union have been moving toward carbon neutral fuels for internal combustion engines in cars manufactured after 2035. The discussions, reported by rbc.ru with reference to statements from German Transport Minister Volker Wissing and Frans Timmermans, the European Commission’s vice president for the Green Deal, signal a shift in how fuel use and emissions will be regulated for road transport in the years ahead.
According to Timmermans, an agreement has been reached with Germany on the future use of fuel in vehicles. He indicated that work would now begin to establish and approve carbon dioxide emission standards for automobiles, laying groundwork for a more stringent framework that aligns with Europe’s broader climate goals. The emphasis is on ensuring that future vehicles can be operated with fuels that do not increase CO₂ levels beyond set limits, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to decarbonizing road transport. [Source attribution: European Commission statements cited by German and EU officials]
Wissing clarified that vehicles with internal combustion engines may only be re-registered after 2035 if they operate on CO₂ neutral fuels. This condition highlights a transitional period in which legacy engines could continue to circulate, provided their fuels meet net-zero emissions criteria. The plan is to encourage continued use of existing vehicle fleets while accelerating the shift to sustainable fuel options. [Cited remarks: German transport policy briefings]
In parallel, Members of Parliament in February backed a Council of Europe initiative proposing a ban on the sale of new fossil fuel vehicles in the EU after 2035. The measure reflects a growing consensus around phasing out traditional engines in favor of cleaner alternatives, including electrified powertrains and renewable fuels for remaining internal combustion technologies. [Parliamentary records and council statements]
Regulatory targets set for the coming years call for significant reductions in emissions from new vehicles. By 2030, automakers are expected to cut emissions from new passenger car models by 55 percent and from light commercial vehicles by 50 percent. Between 2025 and 2029, the share of low-emission vehicles in total sales is planned to rise to 25 percent for passenger cars and 17 percent for light commercial vehicles. By 2035, the aim is a 100 percent reduction in carbon emissions for new cars. These milestones illustrate how Europe intends to balance technology choice, consumer demand, and climate obligations while steering the automotive sector toward cleaner options. [European Union regulatory roadmaps and industry briefings]
The policy landscape also reflects national positions. Italy has previously indicated opposition to a ban on the manufacture and sale of cars with internal combustion engines after 2035. This stance underscores the differing views among EU member states on how quickly to move away from traditional engines and how best to harmonize regulatory timelines across the bloc. [National position statements and parliament debates]