France and Spain have urged EU leaders to maintain the ban on new diesel and petrol cars by 2035, stressing that zero-emission vehicles are “indispensable” for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, according to a letter seen by Euronews.
- The two countries warned that favouring plug-in hybrids after 2035 would undermine the bloc’s climate targets and European automotive competitiveness.
- Germany, Italy and Slovakia had previously demand that plug-in hybrids to be allowed after 2035.
- France and Spain also called for incentives and flexibility to support manufacturers investing in EV production within Europe.
- Under current EU law, new vehicle sales must reach 50–80% zero-emission by 2030, progressing to 100% by 2035.
- A relaxation of the ban would be long-term bullish signal to EU ETS 2, as the system will cover emissions from fuel in road transport.