European Union Agrees to Ban New CO2-Emitting Cars by 2035

European Union (EU) member states have reached a compromise on the sale of new CO2-emitting cars, agreeing to ban the sale of such vehicles by 2035. This decision follows a months-long negotiation between the European Commission and Germany, which had initially opposed the plan due to concerns about the impact on the country's auto industry. The new regulation sets stricter CO2 emissions standards for new cars and vans, aiming to reduce emissions from road transport and encourage the automotive industry to shift towards zero emissions.

Key Takeaways:

• The European Union has agreed to ban the sale of new CO2-emitting cars by 2035, with a goal of reducing emissions by 55% for new cars and 50% for new vans compared to 2021 levels, between 2030 and 2034.
• The new rules also aim for a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions for both new cars and vans from 2035.
• A regulatory incentive for zero- and low-emission vehicles (ZLEV) will be in place from 2025 until the end of 2029, with manufacturers rewarded with less strict CO2 targets if they meet certain benchmarks for selling zero- and low-emission vehicles.
• The benchmark for zero- and low-emission vehicle sales is set at 25% for cars and 17% for vans.
• In 2026, the European Commission will assess the progress made towards achieving its 100% emission reduction targets.
• The proposal to phase out carbon emissions from cars and vans is part of the Fit for 55' package presented by the European Commission in July 2021, aiming to reduce the EU's net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
• Germany had initially opposed the plan due to concerns about the auto industry, but a compromise was reached with the European Commission allowing for the sale of internal combustion engine cars after 2035 if they fill up exclusively with CO2-neutral fuels.

Statistics:

• 2035: The year by which new CO2-emitting cars will be banned in the European Union.
• 55%: The reduction in CO2 emissions for new cars aimed for between 2030 and 2034.
• 50%: The reduction in CO2 emissions for new vans aimed for between 2030 and 2034.
• 100%: The reduction in CO2 emissions for both new cars and vans from 2035.
• 2025-2029: The period during which the regulatory incentive for zero- and low-emission vehicles (ZLEV) will be in place.
• 25%: The benchmark for zero- and low-emission vehicle sales for cars.
• 17%: The benchmark for zero- and low-emission vehicle sales for vans.
• 2026: The year in which the European Commission will assess the progress made towards achieving its 100% emission reduction targets.

Sources:

• European Commission
• European Union Council
• German government
• Swedish Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari