Following initial reports last week, the EU Commission has detailed its proposal to replace the 2035 total ban on new petrol and diesel cars with a 90% emissions reduction requirement. Hybrids remain viable via offsets like biofuels, prompting support from Christian Democrats but criticism from Social Democrats and Volvo.
Building on plans first reported earlier this month, the EU Commission has proposed replacing the 2023-approved total ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2035 with a 90% emissions cut. This allows continued sales of combustion engines, especially hybrids and plug-in hybrids, if manufacturers offset excess via biofuels, green steel, or other measures.
Amid opposition from Germany, Italy, Poland, and others, and EV market share at 18% through October, Christian Democrats Alice Teodorescu Måwe and Peter Kullgren welcomed the shift in SvD Debatt, arguing combustion engines with climate-smart fuels are realistic. They note KD's pivot from prior support.
Social Democrats' Åsa Westlund slammed it as harmful to Swedish green leaders, while Volvo Cars CEO Håkan Samuelsson urged retaining the ban for competitiveness against China.
A full proposal is due next year for European Parliament review.
