Politics · Other · 8 hrs ago
EU lawmakers debate easing 2035 emissions rules for new cars
Negotiators from three major European Parliament groups proposed easing car emissions rules for new vehicles in the EU from 2035.
The proposal would let manufacturers meet a less demanding emissions target if they use steel made with lower carbon emissions.
The current rules set a 100% emissions reduction target for new cars by 2035, while the European Commission has proposed reducing that to 90%.
The groups’ draft has been described as a 95% reduction target, with different accounts explaining the steel adjustment in different ways.
The proposal is not yet an agreed EU law: the Socialists and Democrats say they still need to discuss it, and the Parliament must settle its position.
The Parliament and EU member states will then have to agree on a final text.
The outcome could affect how long combustion-engine cars remain on sale and the pace of the shift to electric vehicles.
Negotiators from the European Parliament’s conservative, socialist and liberal groups agreed on a proposal to ease the 2035 emissions rules for new cars.
The proposal would require an 87.5% reduction in car emissions from 2021 levels by 2035, with a further 7.5% potentially offset through the use of green steel.
The agreement is not yet an official position of the Parliament, and one of the groups said it still needed to discuss the proposal.
Parliament and EU member states must agree on a final text before the rules can change.
Supporters say the proposal would give the car industry more flexibility, while critics warn it could slow the shift to electric vehicles.
- Who
- Negotiators from the European People’s Party, the Socialists and Democrats, and Renew Europe. The Socialists and Democrats said they had not reached a final agreement within their group.
- What
- They agreed on a proposal to ease the 2035 emissions rules for new cars, including a possible green-steel emissions credit.
- When
- Negotiators reached the compromise during the night before Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
- Where
- The European Parliament. The talks were reported in Strasbourg.
- Why
- The proposal aims to give the European car industry more flexibility as it faces the transition to electric vehicles and competition from China.
Supporters of easing the rules
Critics of easing the rules
Industry flexibility
Supporters of easing the rules
Manfred Weber called the negotiating progress good news for workers and the European car industry.
Critics of easing the rules
Michael Bloss said the deal would create uncertainty and delay the growth of electric cars.
Emissions targets
Supporters of easing the rules
The proposal would reduce the required emissions cut to 87.5%, with a further 7.5% potentially offset through green steel.
Critics of easing the rules
Critics of weaker targets fear that slowing the transition could widen Europe’s gap with China in electric-vehicle technology.
Germany and France proposed a 90% emissions reduction for cars by 2035, without requiring compensation for the remaining 10%.
Negotiators from the European People’s Party, the Socialists and Democrats, and Renew Europe agreed on a compromise proposal.
The Socialists and Democrats said they did not yet see a final agreement within their group.
The European Parliament is expected to vote on its position, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano.
- Proposed reduction
- 87.5% by 2035 compared with 2021 levels
- Green-steel credit
- Up to a further 7.5% of emissions reductions
- Negotiating groups
- European People’s Party, Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe
- Required next step
- Parliament and EU member states must agree on a final text
5 sources
EU-Parlament ringt um Einigung zu Verbrenner-Aus
Motori termici oltre il 2035, l’Europa fa un altro passo indietro
Klimaschutz: EU-Parlament einig über schwächeres CO2-Abbauziel für Autos
Unterhändler einig: EU-Parlament ringt um Einigung zu Verbrenner-Aus
Verbrenner-Aus: EU-Parlament findet Kompromiss bei CO₂-Zielen
What people are saying
The end of the combustion engine is off the table.
The car industry needs clarity and planning certainty and gets chaos.
We must continue to discuss the issue within our group.