EU signs agreement to ban diesel and petrol cars in 2035

The new legislation, which will still have to be approved by both institutions, emission reduction target 55% CO2 for new cars and 50% for new pickup trucks by 2030 compared to 2021 levels. After five years, the reduction target should be 100%. “With these goals, we create clarity for the automotive industry and encourage innovation and investment from automakers. Also, it will be cheaper for consumers to buy and use zero-emission cars,” said the Dutch, a negotiator for the European Parliament. Jan Huitema.

“A clear sign that the EU is committed to climate neutrality and moving towards a green transition. Zero-emission mobility will be a key element in preventing climate change, which can cause serious disruptions in many sectors of our society, such as the environment, migration, food security and the economy,” said the Czech Minister of Environment. Anna HubackovaAbout one of the key initiatives of the Fit for 55 package, which Brussels proposes in July 2021 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Signal for COP27

The deal, which was closed just ten days before it started, United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 It ensures that the regulatory incentive mechanism for Zero and Low Emission Vehicles (ZLEV) is maintained in Egypt until 2030. Under this mechanism, a manufacturer may be rewarded with less if it fulfills certain parameters for the sale of Zero and Low Emissions Vehicles. stringent CO2 targets. Still, co-legislators agreed to raise the benchmark value for cars to 25% and pickup trucks to 17% by 2030 to ensure it aligns with current sales trends and has affordable zero-emission cars on the market.

Under the agreement, manufacturers responsible for small production volumes in a calendar year (1,000 to 10,000 new cars or 1,000 to 22,000 new pickup trucks) will be able to enjoy an exemption until the end of 2035 (those responsible for less than 1,000 new vehicle registrations a year are still exempt). The pact also review article that will guarantee in 2026The Commission thoroughly evaluates progress towards achieving 100% emission reduction targets and the need to review these targets in the light of technological developments, including plug-in hybrid technologies.

Evaluation reports

Brussels will need to submit an assessment of progress every two years. This analysis will need to cover the impact on consumers and employment, improvements in energy efficiency and affordability of low and zero emission vehicles, as well as information on the used car market. During the negotiation, the European Parliament also succeeded in presenting a methodology for evaluating and reporting full life cycle CO2 emissions data from cars and vans sold on the EU market. The Commission will submit this methodology before 2025, with legislative proposals where appropriate. In addition, Brussels will submit a proposal for the registration of vehicles running on CO2-neutral fuels only after 2035.

Despite the satisfaction of Timmermans and the negotiators of both institutions, European People’s Party criticized the deal for creating a “Havana effect”. “From 2035, our streets may be filled with old cars because new ones won’t be available or affordable. The agreement opens the door to new technological developments and puts all the eggs in the same basket. This is a mistake,” complained conservative MEP and negotiator Jens Gieseke. According to the MEP, outright banning a technology goes too far and the EU should have opted for voluntary regulation.