New EU Rules Save Petrol Cars and Industrial Jobs

The European Union has officially abandoned its plan to ban the sale of new combustion engine cars. Instead, the bloc will adopt more flexible rules.

Manfred Weber confirmed the major policy reversal on Thursday. Weber is the president of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament.

Speaking to a German newspaper, he stated that the EU will now focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions without killing off traditional engine technology.

“The technology ban on combustion engines is off the table,” Weber declared. “All engines currently manufactured in Germany can therefore continue to be produced and sold.”

New Targets: 90% vs 100%

The revised regulations replace the strict “zero-emission” mandate with a high-reduction target.

• 2035 Mandate: A 90% reduction in CO2 emissions will now be mandatory for new vehicle registrations. This replaces the previous requirement of a 100% cut.
• 2040 Mandate: Crucially, Weber confirmed that officials will not impose a 100% target from 2040 onwards either.

This shift has a clear outcome. Petrol and diesel engines can legally remain on the market. They will likely adapt for greater efficiency or use synthetic fuels.

Securing Industrial Jobs

Weber framed the decision as a vital economic safeguard. He argued that this move sends a powerful signal to the automotive sector.

According to Weber, the policy shift secures “tens of thousands of industrial jobs.” These roles were at risk under the previous hardline approach.

This reversal follows intense lobbying. Key EU member states, including Germany and Italy, argued that the original regulation was simply too rigid.

Industry Pushback

The decision aligns with the demands of Europe’s major automakers.

Companies such as Volkswagen, Stellantis, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW have all argued against a blanket ban.

These industry giants have long contended that customers should decide their preferred technology. They argue the market should not be dictated by firm, exclusionary targets that ban electric, hybrid, or combustion options.

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