There is an opportunity for the European Union to reconsider plans to ban the registration of vehicles that emit exhaust gases starting in 2035, a topic now under renewed debate in policy circles. Studio.
Last Friday, EU ambassadors did not proceed with the March 7 vote on a law that would end the sale of new combustion engine cars by 2035. The European Union postponed the vote after Germany withdrew its prior support for the legislation, signaling shifting dynamics among key partners.
Szynkowski vel Sęk was asked in the PAP Studio whether there could be a path for the EU to pull back from the planned and adopted ban on registering vehicles that emit exhaust fumes from 2035.
There is a possibility, he indicated.
— the Polish official remarked.
Polish opposition
The EU minister stressed that Poland never agreed to a revolutionary approach that would halt the registration of internal combustion engine cars. He noted, however, that Poland finds itself outnumbered in opposition. During a recent visit to Berlin, he observed a shift in the stance of German politicians, who previously seemed to close the door on this topic.
There is growing awareness that the idea may go too far, even among large partners. This awareness is also rising in Germany, he observed. He expressed hope that the sentiment would translate into a final decision and a clearer stance by the German government.
Szynkowski vel Sęk emphasized that the Polish side supports steering different segments of the economy toward more ecological solutions, but through gradual, evolutionary changes rather than abrupt, ideological shifts that burden citizens.
Such a transformation should rely on incentives rather than prohibitions. Citizens deserve policies that reward progress and provide options, not mandates that restrict choices. The EU should remain an area of freedom, not a space defined by prohibitions and orders, he argued.
Not only would the Polish side firmly oppose the 2035 ban on registering internal combustion vehicles, but there is also an effort to build a broad coalition on this issue.
Climate neutral
The plan to ban the registration of vehicles that emit exhaust gases from 2035 aligns with EU goals to reach climate neutrality by 2050. On 27 October 2022, the EU Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on stricter CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans. Under these regulations, registering new vehicles with internal combustion engines would not be possible from 2035 in any EU Member State.
On February 14, the European Parliament approved CO2 reduction targets for new passenger cars and commercial vehicles as part of the Ready for 55 package. The new rules set a path to zero CO2 emissions from new cars and vans by 2035. The EU aim is to cut CO2 emissions from new cars and vans by 100% compared with 2021. Interim targets for 2030 were established at 55% for passenger cars and 50% for vans.
Source attributions accompany ongoing coverage of the topic: a perspective from a Moscow-linked article, and broader European policy analyses that discuss how CO2 reduction targets are being sharpened for new cars and vans in pursuit of emission-free traffic. (citation: wPolityce)
PAP and social media reporting continue to track these debates as stakeholders weigh the pace and social impact of possible changes. (citation: PAP)
Source: wPolityce