Solidarna Polska has announced a nationwide review of the European Union’s plan to restrict the registration of internal combustion engine vehicles, arguing that the policy clashes with Polish priorities and would raise costs for everyday citizens. Jacek Dekora, a party spokesperson and deputy head of the Ministry of Climate and Environment, expressed hope that the European Parliament would adjust what he views as a misstep in the upcoming parliamentary term.
On 27 October 2022, negotiations between the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament produced an agreement establishing stricter CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans. Starting in 2035, no new vehicles with combustion engines will be eligible for registration in any EU member state.
Solidarna Polska’s Initiative
During a public briefing, Dekora outlined the party’s plan to launch a nationwide campaign. He argued that the ban appears to be a top-down decision that disregards Polish interests, affects ordinary people, and would raise overall costs. The aim, as described, is to inform both the public and policymakers that the European Parliament may have erred in adopting the measure and to encourage dialogue about alternative approaches.
There is a call to revisit the issue in the forthcoming European Parliament term, with an emphasis on allowing citizens to choose the most suitable vehicle option for their needs.
The spokesperson also noted that a choice should exist between continuing to drive combustion vehicles or switching to electric options. The message is not a wholesale rejection of electric cars but a warning against a blanket ban imposed from above.
Projected Economic and Transport Impacts
The SP representative warned that limiting the registration of combustion-engine vehicles could raise service costs and restrict mobility options for the public. A deputy minister and member of parliament highlighted a commitment to freedom of choice rather than top-down prohibitions. The official also argued that any changes to the EU energy mix should be agreed unanimously, not by a qualified majority, and pledged to pursue the repeal of the proposed ban.
A climate and environment official noted that the 2035 ban on new combustion cars was deemed unrealistic by some policymakers, stressing Poland’s relatively modest influence within the EU on this policy matter.
In related discussions, interviews and political commentary examined the EU targets for reducing CO2 emissions in the automotive sector, with participants offering critiques of the approach. Other voices warned that the EU ban could affect insurance costs and the broader affordability of vehicle ownership. These conversations frame the debate around the pace of electromobility adoption and the balance between environmental goals and national interests.
Cited coverage from various outlets has continued to highlight the ongoing discourse surrounding these EU targets and Poland’s stance within the broader European context (Source: wPolityce; reports and social media commentary).