Automotive industry: First votes in parliament against the end of combustion engines

How many cars with combustion engines will be allowed to be registered in the future? In the European Parliament, the easing of the so-called ban on combustion engines is clearing the first hurdles.

It was originally decided that new cars in the EU from 2035 should no longer be allowed to emit climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO2) during operation. That should change. (Symbolic image) Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

Strasbourg. In the first votes in the European Parliament, the majority of MPs voted in favor of easing the ban on combustion engines. The industry and transport committees agreed to a proposal negotiated by negotiators from the conservative EPP, the social democratic S&D and the liberal Renew Europe group earlier this week.

The committees' opinions stipulate that CO2 emissions from new cars in the EU should be reduced by 95 percent by 2035. If manufacturers use climate-friendly steel from Europe, they can reduce the price by a further 7.5 percentage points without having to fear penalties.

Berlin and Paris have different ideas

In terms of emissions, this is somewhat more ambitious than the proposal presented by the German and French governments last week. This stipulates that car manufacturers only have to reduce average CO2 emissions by 90 percent from 2035 compared to the base year 2021, without having to compensate for the remaining 10 percent.

In December, the EU Commission proposed adapting the plans for a strict ban on combustion engines. For this to come into force, the European Parliament and EU states must agree on a compromise. Parliament as a whole is expected to decide its position in December.

In the Industry Committee, all S&D, EPP and Renew MPs now voted for it. The right-wing faction of the European Conservatives and Reformers (ECR), the right-wing populist party family Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN), the far-right alliance Patriots for Europe (PfE), the Left and the Greens/EFA voted against it. According to the minutes, there were a total of 49 yes votes, 27 no votes and 5 abstentions.

What is the right path for industry and jobs?

The transport policy spokesman for the EPP parliamentary group, Jens Gieseke (CDU), who took part in the negotiations, said: "Our automobile manufacturers need flexibility and planning security in order to successfully shape the transformation, keep investments in Europe and secure jobs. We want to combine climate protection with a strong industry - not play one off against the other."

The SPD MP Vivien Costanzo, who negotiated for her group, spoke of a compromise “that keeps the big picture in mind and at the same time gives more flexibility”. “Strict “Made in EU” regulations will soon have to be introduced to further protect our industry.”

MEP Michael Bloss (Greens), who is negotiating the dossier, criticized the decisions. “Social Democrats and conservatives are relying on the combustion engine and are slowing down e-mobility.” Europe's car manufacturers would have to change course, European battery production would have to be ramped up and the charging infrastructure would have to be expanded.