EU pushes 2035 ban on new cars with CO2 emissions
The European Union has formally approved legislation this week that will prohibit the sale of all new cars and vans emitting CO2 within the union from 2035. After weeks of tense negotiations and a last‑minute hurdle over Germany’s position, the rule stands as a milestone in the bloc’s climate agenda.
Energy ministers voted on the package with a majority of 23 in favor. Romania, Bulgaria and Italy abstained, while Poland voted against. Germany shifted to support the deal following an agreement reached between the European Commission and Berlin over the weekend.
The legislation includes interim milestones, aiming to reduce car emissions by 55 percent by 2030 and buses by 50 percent compared with 2021 levels. The 2030 targets represent a bridge toward a fully zero‑emission fleet by the 2035 deadline. The text does not alter the agreement reached with the European Parliament; instead, it clarifies next steps in implementing the regulation and addresses the role of synthetic fuels or e‑fuels within the wider framework.
These artificial fuels are produced from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide. They are currently costly but, in theory, could be climate neutral because they release only CO2 that was captured earlier when used in internal combustion engines, even though the technology is not yet fully deployed at scale.
At the urging of Germany and Italy, e‑fuels had been referenced during negotiations. The Commission gave itself until 2026 to revisit the issue and allow the technology to mature within that time frame.
The push for e‑fuels has been controversial. While some see them as a transitional solution for existing engines, others point to the substantial costs and uncertain supply. The objective remains to reduce total emissions while supporting industrial innovation and energy security.
Following the vote, the rule clarifies that new cars should meet zero emission standards once full implementation begins. As an additional step, the regulatory framework contemplates a governance mechanism to ensure compliance and to maintain a robust standard for approving vehicles equipped to run on e‑fuels in specific contexts.
In a broader move, the Commission and the Motor Vehicles Technical Committee are committed to presenting a strong, enforceable regulation that withstands future challenges or changes in policy. A delegated act, expected in the fall of 2023, will specify how vehicles running on e‑fuels will contribute to emission reduction targets under the CO2 standards for passenger cars and light vehicles.
Looking ahead, a further bill on e‑fuels is anticipated in 2026, aligning with the original timeline discussed at the outset of the negotiations. The goal is to align vehicle technology with the region’s climate targets while sustaining a competitive manufacturing sector.
Compared with vehicles with current internal combustion engines, the move emphasizes a gradual shift toward electrification and hydrogen fuel cell technologies as the core scalable paths for decarbonization. The policy signals a preference for electric mobility, backed by a charging infrastructure rollout that will require a charging point every 60 kilometers for passenger vehicles and every 120 kilometers for trucks, with hydrogen stations positioned roughly every 200 kilometers.
The direction is clear: by 2035, new cars and trucks should emit zero CO2. This policy is seen as a significant contributor to climate neutrality by 2050 and a key component of the Green Deal, according to a senior EU official after the vote.
In addition to the CO2 framework, the European Council and Parliament have agreed to an ambitious charging infrastructure plan that will obligate member states to install charging points to support electric mobility and hydrogen refueling where appropriate.
The overall strategy positions electric and hydrogen technologies at the forefront while maintaining room for synthetic fuels to address transitional challenges. This approach aims to balance rapid decarbonization with the realities of existing vehicle fleets and industrial capacity.
Recent negotiations highlighted the political dimensions of decarbonization, with some member states seeking greater clarity on how new fuels would integrate with the regulatory framework. Yet the consensus remains that zero‑emission mobility by 2035 is a central element of the bloc’s climate strategy and an essential step toward achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Note: This article summarizes official statements and reporting from agencies involved in the process and reflects the main points of the policy as discussed during the negotiations.