EU ban on combustion-engine cars starting in 2035

The Parliament of the European Union agreed on a ban concerning sales of new combustion-engine cars from 2035 forward.

Taking up the fight against climate change the majority of the sitting members of the European Parliament gathered behind the ban on sales of combustion-engine cars. The clear objectives are to cut carbon-dioxide emissions by 100% until the middle of the next decade. Further, there is the hope that the ban will result in a faster development of vehicles powered by electricity.

Regardless of the criticism of the German lobby group VDA, complaining that the vote ignores the lack of charging infrastructure in Europe and that not even synthetic fuels are exempt, the legislative backbone of climate protection has been passed. If approved by the member countries German car manufacturers could find themselves in a tight spot by 2035, due to their recent focus on effective and powerful combustion-engines.

The new law on cars is only one element of a package of EU draft climate legislation covering several sectors of polluting and climate change accelerating industries. The argument is that cars are accountable for 12% of European greenhouse gas emissions. Understandably, the charge forward of the European legislation bodies is observed with great concern by the automotive industry and at the same time praised by environmentalists.

The next step consists of obtaining the verdicts of the 27 member countries of the European Union before the agreement on tighter legislation is finalized.