Europe turns away automakers as combustion ban review in 2026 is denied

European Commission Vice-President Roxana Minzatu reiterated her intention not to bring forward the discussion by one year of 2035 ban

Photo by: EmDee

By: Massimo Grassi

Dec 28, 2024 at 3:10am ET

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In recent months, car manufacturers and national governments have asked the European Commission to bring forward to 2025 the discussion on the ban on internal combustion engines, scheduled for 2035. Each time the answer was always the same: 'no'. The latest denial came today from Roxana Minzatu, Vice-President of the European Commission, answering a question from the European People's Party.

"The regulation requires the Commission to submit a progress report by 2025. Based on this report, the Commission will proceed with the review in 2026. The 2035 target provides certainty for manufacturers, suppliers and investors, and provides adequate time margin to plan a fair transition," explained Minzatu.

Previous steps

The stop on the sale of cars with combustion engines requires that in 2026 the parties meet to review the rules for 2035. Too late according to many manufacturers, associations (ACEA in the lead) and some EU governments, especially in the light of the crisis affecting the sector. At the forefront is Italy, which through the mouth of Minister Adolfo Urso has repeatedly criticised the European Commission.

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Minzatu's response, however, seems to go somewhat against Ursula von der Leyen's opening address a few days ago, in which the president of the European Commission announced a "Strategic Dialogue on the future of the automotive industry in Europe". It remains to be seen which paths will be taken during the discussions between the parties, which are scheduled to begin in January 2025.

Room for e-fuels?

Returning to Minzatu's statements, there was an opening for e-fuels, whose role could help in reducing CO2 emissions. Their adoption would lead to the survival of combustion engines, although in this case the Commission has never definitively confirmed its intention to include synthetic fuels in the list of permissible fuels from 2035 onwards.