An announcement on a revision of the previously imposed ban is expected at a press conference in Strasbourg at 3:30 p.m. today. The automotive industry – at least large parts of it – is keeping its fingers crossed.
"This is a crucial milestone for the future of the sector. A lot is at stake," Sigrid de Vries from the automotive industry association Acea said at a press conference in Brussels on Monday, according to the AFP news agency.
In the spring of 2023, the EU member states and the EU Parliament pushed through a resolution that all new cars from 2035 must be emission-free. Since then, however, the German automotive industry in particular, together with countries such as Italy, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, has pushed hard for change.
The result is now expected to be that manufacturers will no longer be required to achieve zero emissions, but “only” a 90 percent reduction in emissions.
Today's proposal is also expected to allow brands that do not meet the requirements to buy emissions rights from others. Extra emissions rebates will also be given to those that invest in parallel in producing small electric cars, reports the news site Politico Europe .
The proposals then need to be approved by the EU Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers.
