EU parliamentary committees back easing of combustion-engine ban
The new approach would leave more room for hybrids and combustion engines after 2035, but is not yet a final EU decision.
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Two key committees of the European Parliament voted on Thursday to ease CO₂ rules for new cars. This gives provisional backing to a compromise between the Christian Democratic, Social Democratic and liberal groups, but the legislation has not yet been finalised.
The Parliament’s transport and industry committees approved the new approach, German broadcaster Tagesschau reported. The European Commission must still consider the proposal further, and the European Parliament will later vote in plenary. The EU member states must also ultimately approve it before the rules can change.
Under the compromise, new cars in 2035 would no longer have to achieve 100 per cent lower tailpipe emissions than in the 2021 reference year, but 95 per cent. On top of that, up to 7.5 percentage points of leeway would be available if manufacturers used climate-friendly steel produced in Europe. This would allow plug-in hybrids and other vehicles with combustion engines to remain possible under certain conditions.
The existing EU rules set a target of zero grams of CO₂ per kilometre for new cars and vans from 2035. The European Commission has already proposed giving manufacturers greater flexibility. Among other things, that proposal would allow combustion engines, hybrids and vehicles running on e-fuels to retain a limited role after 2035.
The parliamentary agreement is the result of negotiations between the European People’s Party, the Social Democratic group and Renew. Italy’s ANSA news agency described the agreement as combining technological neutrality with the preservation of climate targets. The liberal and Social Democratic groups must still formally approve the result of the negotiations.
Supporters say carmakers will be given more time and freedom of choice in the shift towards cleaner vehicles. The Christian Democratic group links this to investment, competitiveness and jobs in Europe’s car industry. Opponents, including Green MEPs, warn instead that manufacturers will have less certainty about the direction of the market and that Europe’s development of electric cars could slow.
For Dutch consumers, nothing will change on Thursday: the current rules will remain in force until the legislative process is complete. The forthcoming vote in the environment committee and the later plenary vote are therefore decisive. After that, talks between Parliament and the member states on the final text will also begin.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The European Parliament’s transport and industry committees voted on 22 October 2026 in favour of a compromise to ease CO₂ rules for cars.
- The compromise lowers the proposed reduction in 2035 from 100 to 95 per cent compared with 2021, with additional leeway linked to steel produced in Europe.
- The current EU rules remain in force until the legislative process is complete.
- A vote in the environment committee, a plenary vote and talks with the EU member states must still take place.
Left
Arguments The shift to emissions-free cars requires a stable and clear end goal. Additional exceptions give manufacturers room to postpone investment in electric models and could leave Europe technologically behind.
Values Climate responsibility, rapid sustainability, public-health gains and predictable long-term policy.
Consequences From this perspective, easing the rules could lead to higher emissions, fewer rechargeable cars on the market and higher costs if Europe ultimately has to switch more rapidly.
Centre
Arguments The climate targets must remain intact, but manufacturers need limited flexibility during a difficult transition. A compromise can give industry time without completely abandoning the direction towards cleaner transport.
Values Practicality, administrative continuity, European competitiveness and a workable combination of climate policy and employment.
Consequences The scheme could make the transition more orderly, but requires clear limits and oversight to prevent temporary exceptions from becoming permanent.
Right
Arguments The EU should give manufacturers and consumers more choice between technologies. A strict ban on new combustion engines makes European industry vulnerable, limits affordable options and places the cost of the transition disproportionately on citizens and businesses.
Values Technological neutrality, economic freedom, affordability, national industry and the protection of jobs.
Consequences More room for hybrids, e-fuels and combustion engines could give industry breathing space and improve affordability, but would make the climate outcome more dependent on actual emissions in practice.
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 point is confirmed by Tagesschau, ANSA and the European Commission. The article clearly distinguishes between the committee vote, the parliamentary process that follows and the current legislation that remains in force.
- confirmed The European Parliament’s transport and industry committees voted on 22 October 2026 in favour of the easing. — Tagesschau reported the committee votes on 22 October 2026. source
- confirmed The compromise provides for a 95 per cent emissions reduction in 2035 and up to 7.5 percentage points of additional leeway through steel produced in Europe. — The percentages appear in Tagesschau’s reporting on the agreement between the groups. source
- confirmed The current EU rules provide for a target of zero grams of CO₂ per kilometre from 2035. — The European Commission describes the applicable target as a 100 per cent reduction, equivalent to zero grams of CO₂ per kilometre. source
- confirmed The new approach is not yet definitive EU law. — Tagesschau states that further committee consideration, a plenary vote and decision-making with the member states are required. source
- confirmed The agreement was reached between the EPP, the Social Democrats and Renew. — ANSA names these three groups as participants in the agreement. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the transport and industry committees voted in favour of the easing on 22 October and that an agreement between three groups forms its basis. It remains uncertain whether the environment committee, the plenary assembly and the member states will support the text unchanged; the current EU rules therefore remain in force.Sources
- Wichtige EP-Ausschüsse stimmen für Aufweichung des Verbrennerverbots — Tagesschau
- Abstimmungen im EU-Parlament: Hält der Verbrenner-Kompromiss? — Tagesschau
- Agreement Between the EPP, Socialists, and Liberals on Cars and the Industrial Accelerator Act — ANSA
- Cars and vans: 2025 Automotive Package — Europese Commissie
More on this in Dutch media
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