Overview
- The European Commission is set to unveil proposals that would allow post-2035 sales of certain hybrids, range-extended electric vehicles and cars running on specific biofuels or synthetic fuels under a technology‑neutral framework.
- Member states are split, with Germany, parts of Eastern Europe and Italy pushing for a delay toward 2040, Spain defending the original 2035 target and France open to limited flexibilities tied to strong local‑content conditions.
- Commission data on 800,000 plug‑in hybrids and studies by IMT and Transport & Environment indicate real‑world use yields emissions three to five times higher than advertised, and IMT notes EREV models are not yet on the European market with unproven performance.
- Analysts flag constraints on biofuels due to land and water use and competing demand, and Europe imports about 70% of the used cooking oil that would feed some supplies.
- Utilities and experts warn that diluting the target could weaken EU energy sovereignty and industrial leadership, and German economists caution a slowdown may leave domestic carmakers further exposed to Chinese competitors even if it eases short‑term financing pressures.