Eu weakens historic ban on new gasoline and diesel car sales by 2035 following industry pressure

The European Union has significantly diluted its landmark legislation aimed at phasing out new petrol and diesel vehicle sales by 2035, following intense lobbying pressure from automotive manufacturers, particularly those based in Germany.

The original proposal represented one of the world’s most ambitious climate policies in the transportation sector, designed to accelerate the shift toward electric vehicles and help the EU meet its carbon neutrality goals by 2050. However, the weakened version now includes several concessions that could potentially undermine the policy’s environmental impact and delay the transition to cleaner transportation.

German automakers, home to global giants like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, led the charge in seeking modifications to the rules. These companies argued that the original timeline was too aggressive and could harm their competitiveness in global markets. The lobbying effort highlighted the ongoing tension between environmental objectives and economic interests within the EU’s policymaking process.

Environmental advocates have expressed concern that the watered-down regulations could set a troubling precedent for future climate legislation, potentially signaling that industry pressure can successfully weaken environmental protections. The transportation sector accounts for approximately 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making the transition away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles crucial for meeting international climate targets. Critics argue that any delay in implementing strict vehicle emission standards could significantly impact Europe’s ability to achieve its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.