Overview
- Several EU commissioners told Handelsblatt that cars with combustion engines could still be registered after 2035 if run on e‑fuels or biofuels.
- Reports point to a forthcoming Commission package for the auto sector that may soften the 2035 rule, with timing floated for mid‑December but still uncertain.
- A coalition of six EU leaders urged the Commission to let plug‑in hybrids, range extenders and fuel‑cell vehicles continue beyond 2035 to protect industry competitiveness.
- One UK media report cites an unnamed source claiming a potential shift of the deadline to 2040, a move that remains unconfirmed by the Commission.
- The push to revise the policy reflects heavy lobbying from automakers and rental firms over weak EV demand and charging gaps, even as brands like Volvo and Polestar back the original 2035 target.