Europe changes course: internal combustion cars beyond 2035
16/02/2026
German politicians have achieved their goal: the European Commission will lift the ban on internal combustion engines in 2035.
European People's Party leader Manfred Weber revealed to Bild the outcome of a meeting with the president of the EU's highest executive body, Ursula von der Leyen: after intense negotiations in Brussels, it was decided to lift not only the 2035 deadline but also the 2040 deadline, which had been mooted in recent days.
In essence, internal combustion engines will still have a long lifespan. "For new vehicle registrations from 2035 onwards," Weber told the German newspaper, "a target of reducing average CO2 emissions from car manufacturers' fleets by 90%, not more than 100%, will be mandatory."
Furthermore, there will be no 100% target by 2040: "This means that a ban on internal combustion engines is out of the question.
All engines currently built in Germany will therefore be able to continue to be produced and sold," the German politician added. His statements, confirmed by a spokesperson, were later reported by other German media outlets.
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