Overview
- After a European Council meeting, Emmanuel Macron said 2035 remains the horizon for ending sales of new combustion‑engine cars and called for flexibilities to avoid blunt job losses.
- France’s Economy and Ecological Transition ministries said they will support technological flexibility only if paired with clear incentives for European-made vehicles and supply chains.
- A joint French‑Spanish message reaffirmed support for the 2035 zero‑emission goal and stressed that the planned review must not weaken that objective.
- The European Commission says the target stands for now and will conduct the legally required impact reassessment in 2026, with preparatory work beginning this year.
- Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to try to lift the ban as automakers push for options such as post‑2035 plug‑in hybrids or synthetic fuels, citing weaker EV demand and strong Chinese competition.