BREAKING: EU Seals the Fate of Combustion Engine Cars

Effective 2035: New Sales of Gas-Powered Vehicles Prohibited

In a groundbreaking move, the European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a ban on the sale of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) from 2035 onward.

The Writing on the Wall

This momentous decision marks a significant step in the EU's transition to a more sustainable and climate-friendly transportation sector. It aligns with the bloc's ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The ban applies to all new vehicles powered by diesel or gasoline engines. Electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, and hybrid vehicles will remain on the market.

The vote comes as no surprise, as the EU has been steadily moving towards this outcome for several years. In 2021, the European Commission proposed a draft law that would effectively end the sale of ICE vehicles in the region.

Next Steps

The parliament's vote is not yet legally binding, but it is expected to be formalized in the coming months. Once the law is in place, member states will have until 2035 to implement the ban.

The move has sparked mixed reactions. While environmentalists and climate activists applaud the decision, automakers have expressed concerns about the pace of the transition and the potential impact on jobs.

However, the EU remains committed to its ambitious climate goals and sees the ban on ICE vehicles as a crucial step in achieving a clean and sustainable future for transportation.