EU SHIFT ON EMISSIONS RULES
Electric vehicles (EVs) could make up as much as 85% of new car sales in the European Union by 2035, according to Transport & Environment (T&E), despite a recent softening of the bloc’s emissions targets.
The projection follows the European Commission’s decision to replace a de facto ban on new combustion-engine cars with a requirement for a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars and vans by 2035, compared with 2021 levels. The original proposal had mandated zero emissions for all newly registered vehicles.
T&E has criticised the move as a significant rollback of EU green policy, warning that under weaker rules EVs could account for only around half of new sales by 2035. The group argues the change risks prolonging the life of higher-emitting models, even as Chinese manufacturers strengthen their position in the battery-electric market.
The Commission says the revised target will still drive EV uptake while saving carmakers €2.1 billion over three years, funds it suggests could support innovation. T&E estimates that 5% to 50% of sales in 2035 could still be non-battery-electric, most likely around 15%, and warns emissions could rise 10% between 2025 and 2050 under the revised plan.
