European Parliament to Ban New Gas Car Sales by 2035!
European Union Takes Steps Towards Banning Gas-Powered Cars
The European Union is getting closer to prohibiting the sale of new gas-powered cars. The European Parliament has approved a Council agreement that mandates all new passenger cars and vans to have zero emissions by 2035. This decision also includes adjustments to some targets for 2030. Companies will now have to ensure that at least 25 percent of car sales (and 17 percent of vans) are zero-emissions models if they want to benefit from incentives between 2025 and 2029. These incentives will no longer be available after 2030.
Keeping Track of Progress Towards Zero-Emissions Transportation
The new regulations assign the European Commission the task of monitoring real-world progress. By 2025, the Commission will establish a method to report data on the emissions produced throughout the entire life-cycle of cars sold in the EU. They will also monitor the difference between emission limits and actual consumption data starting in 2026. Beginning in late 2025, the Commission will release updates every two years to assess advancements towards zero-emissions transportation.
Speeding Up the Transition to Electric Vehicles
The final approval is mostly a formality, as the EU’s gradual move towards banning gas car sales has already had the desired impact. Companies such as GM, Stellantis, Volvo, and VW have announced plans to cease all sales of combustion engine cars in the region (and sometimes globally) by 2035 or sooner. Brands like Renault have committed to electrifying the majority of their lineup by 2025. The transition to electric vehicles is well underway — the only question now is which companies will lead the charge.
