00:30 09-06-2026

EU 2035 Combustion Ban: Why the Latest Twist Could Hit Drivers' Wallets

Seven EU countries push back against weakening the 2035 combustion ban, while a December Commission proposal opens the door for ICE and hybrids to stay longer.

Europe is once again grappling with one of the auto industry's most painful questions: what to do with new combustion-engine cars after 2035. France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Sweden have urged Brussels not to soften the EV course and called any revision of the CO₂ regulation a “strategic mistake.” The trigger was a December European Commission proposal pushed through under pressure from Germany.

Instead of a full ban on the sale of new combustion cars, the plan from 2035 leaves automakers a loophole: cut fleet CO₂ emissions by 90% versus 2021 levels, and offset the remaining 10%. For the carmakers, that buys time. ICE and hybrid models can stay in the lineup longer, production plans don't have to be torn up, and the costly switch to EVs doesn't have to be rushed. For buyers, though, that kind of flexibility isn't quite the win it might look like.

More combustion cars could remain on the market, but the fuel bill doesn't go away — and oil and gas prices have once again become part of the political risk picture. The countries opposing the rollback directly link electrification to Europe's energy independence. Their statement says the current crisis “clearly shows that reducing European dependence on fossil fuels is an absolute necessity.” The reason given is the surge in oil and gas prices caused by the war in Iran. The twist: those seven countries may have enough votes to form a blocking minority in the EU Council.

While politicians argue over percentages and deadlines, the buyer sees something else: the longer Europe drags out the final decision, the harder it becomes to figure out what car to buy tomorrow — petrol, hybrid or electric.

Earlier, 32CARS.RU reported that carmakers are relaunching hybrid, petrol and diesel models.