European Parliament votes on easing car targets
The transport and industry committees consider today a proposal that could leave room for combustion engines after 2035.
Follow-up to: EU Parliament reaches provisional compromise on combustion engines Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 20:14
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The European Parliament votes in two committees on Thursday on a proposal for the CO2 targets of new cars. The vote is a step in considering a compromise that would make the shift to fully emission-free cars after 2035 less strict.
The European Parliament's transport and industry committees are considering the so-called Auto Package today. Under the current timetable, the environment committee will follow in early November, with a plenary vote scheduled for December. Thursday's vote therefore does not yet produce a definitive European law.
The three largest centrist groups — the European People's Party, the Social Democrats and Renew Europe — reached a provisional agreement earlier this week. Under it, carmakers would have to reduce the average CO2 emissions of new cars in 2035 by 87.5 per cent compared with 2021. Part of the remaining reduction could be offset through the use of lower-impact steel produced in Europe.
That differs from the existing political interpretation of European policy, under which the sale of new cars with combustion engines would in practice almost disappear from 2035. The compromise could give manufacturers room to continue offering hybrid or fuel-powered cars after 2035. It is not yet clear how much room the average fleet target would provide for this.
The European Commission previously proposed a 90 per cent reduction. Under that proposal, it was not clear how the remaining 10 per cent would have to be offset. The parliamentary compromise places greater emphasis on flexibility for manufacturers and on European production.
Supporters see the adjustment as a way of giving Europe's car industry time to remain competitive. Countries with large car industries in particular point to high investment, uncertainty about demand for electric cars and competition from China. It is not clear whether Germany and France had already expressed support last week for less strict targets. The final EU law has not yet been adopted.
Critics fear that the easing will delay investment in electric cars and weaken the climate targets. It is also still uncertain whether all groups support the compromise. After consideration by Parliament, the EU member states in the Council of the European Union must also agree a joint position. Negotiations between Parliament and the Council will then follow before new rules can be finalised.
For Dutch motorists, nothing will change today in the rules on purchasing or registering cars. The significance of the vote lies mainly in the direction of European industrial and climate policy: will the EU opt for a firm transition to emission-free driving, or allow more room for different powertrains during that transition?
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The European Parliament's transport and industry committees are voting on 22 October on a proposal for new CO2 targets for cars.
- A provisional agreement between the EPP, S&D and Renew envisages a reduction of 87.5 per cent in 2035 compared with 2021.
- The environment committee and the plenary assembly still have to consider the proposal.
- The EU member states must then also determine a position before a definitive law can be created.
Left
Arguments The EU must not weaken the transition to emission-free transport again. Stricter targets give manufacturers clarity, accelerate investment in electric cars and limit climate and health problems caused by fossil fuels.
Values Climate responsibility, public health, long-term certainty and protection against industry delays.
Consequences Under this approach, easing the rules could delay investment, put Europe's climate targets under pressure and keep consumers dependent on fossil fuels for longer.
Centre
Arguments A workable transition requires clear climate targets as well as sufficient flexibility for manufacturers and workers. A limited opening for hybrid technology could be a compromise, provided total emissions demonstrably continue to fall and the rules can be tightened later.
Values Feasibility, institutional stability, European competitiveness and gradual change.
Consequences A compromise could protect public support and industrial employment, but requires proper oversight to prevent temporary exceptions from becoming permanent.
Right
Arguments The EU must prevent regulation from weakening Europe's car industry against American and Chinese competitors. Consumers and businesses should retain freedom of choice, and technology should determine which powertrain survives, not an early ban.
Values Economic freedom, competitiveness, affordability and national room for industrial policy.
Consequences Greater flexibility could protect production and jobs in Europe and keep cars more affordable, but could make the shift to cleaner mobility less predictable.
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 article's central points have been confirmed by Tagesschau, the European Parliament and Reuters. The vote has not yet taken place, so only the timetable and the proposal itself have been presented as current facts.
- confirmed The European Parliament's transport and industry committees are voting on the proposal on 22 October. — Tagesschau reports that both committees are voting on Thursday; Electrive describes the same timetable. source
- confirmed The parliamentary compromise envisages a 87.5 per cent reduction in CO2 for cars in 2035. — Reuters and Electrive cite this percentage compared with 2021. source
- confirmed Up to 7.5 percentage points can be linked to low-carbon steel produced in Europe. — Tagesschau and Reuters describe this offsetting option. source
- confirmed A plenary vote is expected in December. — Tagesschau lists December as the scheduled final vote. source
- confirmed The European Commission previously proposed a 90 per cent reduction. — Reuters describes the Commission proposal and the deviation from it. source
- confirmed After the European Parliament, the EU member states must also determine a joint position. — The European Parliament's procedure page shows an ordinary legislative procedure; Reuters describes the next step involving the EU governments. source
Editor's note
What is certain is that the two parliamentary committees are voting on the proposal today and that no definitive EU rule yet exists. The precise result of the vote and the final text remain uncertain at the time of writing.Sources
- EU-Parlament: Mitte-Fraktionen schließen Verbrenner-Kompromiss — Tagesschau
- Procedure file 2025/0420(COD) — Europees Parlement
- EU lawmakers reach deal to weaken car CO2 targets — Reuters via MarketScreener
- EU Parliament mulls watered-down CO₂ reductions for cars — Electrive
The story so far
- Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 20:14 EU Parliament reaches provisional compromise on combustion engines
- Thursday, 22 October 2026, 05:27 European Parliament votes on easing car targets (this article)
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