European Union countries gave final approval to a landmark law to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars in 2035, after the countries’ energy ministers finalize Europe’s main climate policy for cars which will now enter into force.
According to Reuters, the EU law will require all new cars sold to have zero CO2 emissions from 2035, and 55% lower CO2 emissions from 2030, versus 2021 levels. The targets are designed to drive the rapid decarbonisation of new car fleets in Europe.
The EU policy had been expected to make it impossible to sell combustion engine cars in the EU from 2035. But the exemption won by Germany offers a potential lifeline to traditional vehicles – although e-fuels are not yet produced at scale.
