EU approves effective ban on new fossil fuel cars from 2035

The European Union has reached a deal on Thursday to introduce a law that would effectively ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035, aiming to speed up the switch to electric vehicles in a bid to combat global climate change effects.

Negotiators from the EU countries and the European Parliament, who must both approve new EU laws, as well as the European Commission, which drafts new laws, agreed that carmakers must achieve a 100% cut in CO2 emissions by 2035, which would make it impossible to sell new fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the 27-countries across Europe.

“This deal is good news for car drivers… new zero-emission cars will become cheaper, making them more affordable and more accessible to everyone,” remarked Parliament’s head negotiator Jan Huitema.egister now

EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans said the agreement sent a strong signal to industry and consumers. “Europe is embracing the shift to zero-emission mobility,” he noted.

The deal also included a 55% cut in CO2 emissions for new cars sold from 2030 against 2021 levels, much higher than the existing target of a 37.5% reduction by then. New vans must comply with a 100% CO2 cut by 2035, and a 50% cut by 2030 compared with 2021 levels. Volkswagen chief Thomas Schaefer informed media that from 2033, the brand will only produce electric cars in Europe.