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The European Parliament has formally passed a law to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the European Union from 2035, in a move aimed at accelerating the transition to electric vehicles.
The new legislation, part of a wider EU effort to tackle climate change, says automakers must achieve a 100% cut in carbon dioxide emissions from new cars sold by 2035, meaning no new vehicle powered by fossil fuel can be sold in the block of 27 countries.
With 340 votes in favor, 279 against and 21 abstentions, the new rules also pave the way for more immediate emission reduction targets. New cars and vans sold from 2030 onwards will have to meet a 55% and 50% cut in emissions, respectively, compared to 2021 levels. The previous 2030 emissions target for new cars sold was 37.5% .
The law was first accepted by negotiators from EU countries, the European Parliament and the European Commission in October last year, so Tuesday’s approval is just one step before the law gets a formal stamp and rules begin. to come into effect. This is expected to happen in March.
European Parliament member Jan Huitema said these target revisions are crucial steps if Europe is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
“These targets create clarity for the auto industry and spur innovation and investment for automakers,” Huitema said in a statement. “Buying and driving zero-emission cars will become cheaper for consumers and a second-hand market will emerge more quickly. It makes sustainable driving accessible to everyone.”
However, some automakers, industry players and countries have backed off in the EU since the law was proposed in July 2021. Renault, for example, said in 2021 it would seek an extension of the proposed plan to ban the sale of motor vehicles. of internal combustion. in the EU by 2035, instead hoping to delay the transition to 2040 to provide more affordable cars to EV buyers.
As a result of resistance, the final deal approved on Tuesday includes flexibilities, including a caveat for small automakers to produce less than 10,000 vehicles a year to be able to negotiate weaker targets through 2036.
