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The EU to scrap its 2035 ban on petrol and diesel cars
The European Commission plans to weaken EU emissions targets following lobbying form car manufacturers
Words by: Catherine Kent
Published on 17 December 2025 | 0 min read
The European Commission has put forward a plan to relax the current ruling requiring all new cars to be zero-emissions by 2035. This follows continued lobbying from car manufacturers who say current demand for electric cars is too low to hit the emissions target and would cost them billions in penalties.
The new proposal reduces the requirement on zero-emission cars to a 90 per cent sales share, allowing the remaining 10 per cent to consist of petrol, diesel or hybrids. However, there will be stipulations to try to offset the environmental impact of these higher emission vehicles being on sale. Manufacturers will likely be required to use low-carbon steel and alternatives to fossil fuels like e-fuels or biofuels. However, not everyone believes weakening emissions targets is the answer. Lobbying group Transport & Environment (T&E) has previously raised concerns around the use of biofuels as a solution. In response to the European Commission’s proposal T&E’s executive director, Willliam Todts, said: “The EU has chosen complexity over clarity. Every euro diverted into plug-in hybrids is a euro not spent on EVs while China races further ahead. Clinging to combustion engines won't make European automakers great again.”
The new proposal reduces the requirement on zero-emission cars to a 90 per cent sales share, allowing the remaining 10 per cent to consist of petrol, diesel or hybrids. However, there will be stipulations to try to offset the environmental impact of these higher emission vehicles being on sale. Manufacturers will likely be required to use low-carbon steel and alternatives to fossil fuels like e-fuels or biofuels. However, not everyone believes weakening emissions targets is the answer. Lobbying group Transport & Environment (T&E) has previously raised concerns around the use of biofuels as a solution. In response to the European Commission’s proposal T&E’s executive director, Willliam Todts, said: “The EU has chosen complexity over clarity. Every euro diverted into plug-in hybrids is a euro not spent on EVs while China races further ahead. Clinging to combustion engines won't make European automakers great again.”
This news from Europe arrives in the same week Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, announced plans to scrap the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate if the party wins the next election. Badenoch claims the current targets put UK manufacturing at a disadvantage and leave the door open to Chinese brands which have quickly ramped up electric car production.
Meanwhile, many still believe investment in electric vehicles is key. Nissan has big plans having already invested £450m to build the all-new Leaf in its Sunderland plant here in the UK. This is all part of its wider EV36Zero ambitions towards carbon neutrality, and Nissan’s commitment to UK manufacturing is backed by the current government’s Modern Industrial Strategy – a 10-year plan to increase business investment and grow UK industries. As production of the latest Leaf begins Adam Pennick, Vice President of Manufacturing at Nissan's Sunderland plant said: “Nissan has invested into our state-of-the-art plant to build the EVs of the future”. So, will the UK follow Europe’s lead by moving the goalposts? That will be for the government in consultation with the car industry to decide.
Meanwhile, many still believe investment in electric vehicles is key. Nissan has big plans having already invested £450m to build the all-new Leaf in its Sunderland plant here in the UK. This is all part of its wider EV36Zero ambitions towards carbon neutrality, and Nissan’s commitment to UK manufacturing is backed by the current government’s Modern Industrial Strategy – a 10-year plan to increase business investment and grow UK industries. As production of the latest Leaf begins Adam Pennick, Vice President of Manufacturing at Nissan's Sunderland plant said: “Nissan has invested into our state-of-the-art plant to build the EVs of the future”. So, will the UK follow Europe’s lead by moving the goalposts? That will be for the government in consultation with the car industry to decide.
