"Tech neutrality principle": EU rethinks early combustion engine phase-out

The EU is trying to take a few steps towards its car industry, which has been plagued by the prescribed change in drive systems and economic conditions. The so-called "end of the combustion engine" is to be reviewed earlier and the industry is to be supported in five areas.

The EU has agreed to set the fleet limit value to zero in 2035. This means that no more cars that emit carbon dioxide locally may be sold. Regeneratively produced synthetic fuels are exempt. Conventional cars that have already been sold will be protected anyway. To ensure that the targets, which some members of the Commission consider to be very ambitious, do not cause economic damage, the scenario of phasing out the combustion engine can be revised in an emergency. In order to assess its impact and take countermeasures in good time if necessary, it was agreed that the plan would be reviewed every two years from 2026.

Earlier than planned and still "completely technology-neutral"

In view of the current problems in the automotive industry with a slow ramp-up of electric cars and economic stagnation, the EU Commission has now brought this period forward by one year. EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas announced in Brussels that the evaluation will now take place in 2025 instead of 2026, as originally agreed. On Monday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised that this review would be "completely technology-neutral". This emphasis on independence from a specific technology is actually unnecessary. The previous decision is already technology-neutral, because despite the popular term "combustion engine ban", thermodynamic drives were never excluded.

The ailing automotive industry is also set to benefit from an EU Commission action plan designed to promote it in the areas of digitalization, climate protection, competitiveness, employees and internationality.

Just two days ago, the EU Commission signaled to the car industry that it would be allowed to comply with the stricter limit values, which were tightened as planned at the beginning of the year, for three years instead of annually. This was preceded by a sharp decline in electric car sales.

(fpi)