In brief

• The European Parliament's Environment Committee backed a compromise that allows some new combustion-engine and hybrid cars to be sold after 2035.
• Manufacturers would have to cut CO₂ emissions by 95 percent compared with 2021, or by 87.5 percent when using European low-emission steel.
• The final vote in the plenary session is scheduled for mid-December, and the rules still need to be agreed with the member states.

Change to the sales ban plan

The European Parliament's Environment Committee backed a compromise that allows the sale of some new cars with combustion engines also after 2035. The original plan assumed that from that year onward, new CO₂-emitting cars could not be registered in the European Union, leaving only electric models on the market (ES uždrausti vidaus degimo variklių nebenori: ar tai išgelbės Europos automobilių pramonę – vz.lt).

According to the negotiated agreement, manufacturers would have to reduce CO₂ emissions from new cars by 95 percent compared with the 2021 level (EP committee backs some ICE car sales after 2035 — RMF24 - Europe – europesays.com) (Komisja PE zdecydowała: Spalinówki po 2035 roku zostają, większa swoboda firm – RMF24). If they used European low-emission steel, the threshold would fall to 87.5 percent (EU-Parlament macht Weg für Lockerung des Verbrenner-Aus frei | NIUS – nius.de). If these conditions are met, some new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars could also reach the market after 2035.

Who backed the compromise

The compromise was supported by the three largest groups in the committee: the European People's Party, the Socialists and Democrats, and the liberals. The compromise was negotiated on 20 October.

Support for small cars and steelworks

The agreement provides additional support for small cars and European steelworks, as well as solutions concerning selected fuels. The changes are meant to rescue an industry in crisis: sales are falling, electromobility is developing more slowly than expected, and competition from Chinese manufacturers is growing (Dienos akcentai: ES keičia požiūrį į automobilių pramonę ir „Rheinmetall“ prognozės – vz.lt). Concerns also apply to factories and jobs.

Next steps for the rules

The plenary vote is scheduled for mid-December. The European Parliament's position must then be agreed with the member states; only after that can the EU rules be changed. Germany and France have already endorsed the softened approach.