BRUSSELS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission said on Tuesday that it would ease the planned 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars by shifting to a target requiring carmakers to cut tailpipe emissions by 90 percent. The remaining 10 percent would be offset by the use of low-carbon steel made in the European Union (EU), or from e-fuels and biofuels.
Under the Automotive Package proposed by the Commission, automakers could still sell some non-fully electric vehicles (EVs) after 2035, such as plug-in hybrids, range extenders, and mild hybrids, alongside fully electric and hydrogen models.
This would mark a shift from the EU rules adopted in 2023, which set a 100 percent carbon reduction target for new cars and vans from 2035. Germany and Italy have been among the leading opponents to the rules, stepping up pressure on the EU to relax them, citing that the bloc needs to bolster its industrial competitiveness.
"We've not abandoned any of our decarbonization goals, but we have shown pragmatism," European Commissioner for Industrial Strategy Stephane Sejourne told a press conference on Tuesday.
The Commission said carmakers will be able to benefit from "super credits" before 2035 for small, affordable EVs made in the EU. The move is aimed at accelerating the roll-out of more small EV models.
Regarding the 2030 targets for cars and vans, the Commission introduced additional flexibility by allowing "banking and borrowing" over 2030-2032. It also proposed lowering the 2030 carbon reduction target for vans from 50 percent to 40 percent, citing structurally slower EV uptake in the segment.
In addition, the Commission announced lower carbon emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles to make it easier to meet the 2030 targets and said it will set member state-level targets for corporate fleets to accelerate the uptake of zero- and low-emission vehicles.
As part of a broader Automotive Package, the revision of carmakers' emission targets aims to shore up Europe's car industry as it navigates the transition to clean mobility.
Beyond emission standards, the Commission also unveiled a 1.8-billion-euro (about 2.12 billion U.S. dollars) "Battery Booster" plan to accelerate the development of an EU-based battery value chain, with 1.5 billion euros earmarked for interest-free loans to battery cell producers in Europe.
The package also includes measures to cut red tape and lower compliance costs for manufacturers, the Commission said.
According to data released by the European Parliament in 2024, road transport accounts for about a fifth of EU emissions, and passenger cars, a major polluter, produce 61 percent of total carbon emissions from the EU's road transport. (1 euro = 1.18 U.S. dollar)
