French Lawmakers Reject 2035 Ban on Sale of Gas-Powered Cars

The National Assembly narrowly voted to maintain the current 2040 deadline, citing affordability and industry readiness concerns.

The French National Assembly voted against adopting the EU's 2035 deadline for banning the sale of new gas-powered vehicles, retaining the existing 2040 target instead.
The decision was made in a sparsely attended session, with 34 deputies voting to remove the 2035 date and 30 voting to keep it.
Supporters of the rejection, including the Rassemblement National, argued that electric vehicles remain prohibitively expensive for low-income households and that the automotive industry is not yet ready for the transition.
Government officials, including the Minister of Industry and Energy, defended the 2035 target, emphasizing the progress already made by the automotive sector and the need for regulatory clarity.
The European Commission plans to unveil a new action plan in March to support the automotive industry's transition to electrification, amid growing concerns over lagging EV sales and competition from China.