EU Parliament reaches provisional compromise on combustion engines
Centrist political groups want to relax European rules for new cars after 2035.
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Negotiators from the EPP, S&D and Renew Europe have reached a provisional compromise in the European Parliament on the future of new cars with combustion engines. The groups still have to formally approve the agreement.
According to German public broadcaster Tagesschau, the sale of certain new cars with combustion engines or hybrid drive systems will in principle remain possible after 2035. Tagesschau reports that the compromise would adjust the existing CO₂ targets for manufacturers.
The negotiators are speaking on behalf of the three major centrist groups. Their agreement is not yet a definitive European decision. The transport and industry committees will vote on Thursday, after which the environment committee will take its turn in November. A plenary vote is scheduled for December.
The legislative process will not be complete after that. The European Parliament must adopt a formal position, after which the member states in the Council of the European Union must consider the proposal.
For car manufacturers, the compromise could provide more scope to develop different drive systems alongside one another. For consumers, it could mean that new cars with combustion engines remain available for longer, although prices and availability will depend on the final rules and the market.
The debate is therefore not only about technology. It also involves questions about affordability, the competitiveness of the European car industry and the implications for the transition to zero-emission cars and the achievement of climate targets.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Negotiators from three centrist groups have reached a provisional agreement.
- The groups and committees still have to vote.
- The EU Council must also be involved in the legislative process at a later stage.
Left
Arguments The European car industry needs clear and strict emissions standards to compel investment in electric mobility and keep climate policy credible.
Values Climate protection, health benefits from cleaner air and long-term certainty.
Consequences A relaxation could delay investment and leave manufacturers dependent on fossil fuels for longer.
Centre
Arguments A technology-neutral standard can take account of differences between member states, consumers and manufacturers, as long as the climate targets remain verifiable.
Values Feasibility, predictability and a balance between climate and industry.
Consequences A compromise could attract broad support, but implementation would become more complex.
Right
Arguments The EU must prevent regulation from weakening European manufacturers or making new cars unaffordable. Manufacturers and consumers should retain more choice.
Values Competitiveness, affordability and technological freedom.
Consequences More room for combustion engines could give companies breathing space, but could slow the shift to electric drive systems.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The provisional agreement and the planned next steps have been confirmed by Tagesschau. Because the precise text is not yet final, the compromise is not presented as law in force.
- confirmed The EPP, S&D and Renew Europe reached a provisional compromise. — Reported by Tagesschau and Deutschlandfunk. source
- confirmed The committees will vote in October and November, and the plenary vote is scheduled for December. — The procedure is set out in the Tagesschau report. source
- confirmed The compromise is not yet a definitive EU law. — The sources describe further approvals and votes. source
Editor's note
This concerns a provisional agreement by negotiators, not adopted legislation. The precise legal text and the final votes still have to follow.Sources
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