Overview

• After the Brussels auto summit, the European Commission said the legally scheduled assessment will be done as soon as possible, launching working groups on technology neutrality and on incentives for small, affordable EVs.
• An internal concept paper reiterates that ending new petrol and diesel car sales by 2035 is achievable, citing first-half 2025 battery‑electric growth of about 25 percent to a 17 percent market share and more than one million charge points.
• The paper ties the target to industrial measures including a public‑private push for European battery cell production, support for compact EVs, stronger automotive software capability, and forthcoming rules to boost corporate EV fleets.
• Limited exceptions such as plug‑in hybrids or range extenders are not ruled out but will be examined later, with the Commission keeping to cost efficiency and technology neutrality.
• Positions in the sector remain split, as the VDA, VW and Mercedes push for more time and flexibility while Audi and over 150 e‑mobility, battery and charging executives urge holding the line to avoid market uncertainty.