ARCHIVED - EU to ban sales of petrol and diesel cars in 2035

A wide-ranging project has been presented to reach climate neutrality by 2055

The European Commission has set a date for the elimination of diesel and petrol-powered motor vehicles, stating that as of 2035 no further models containing internal combustion engines may be sold and extending the ban to hybrid vehicles.

This date coincides with the target already established by manufacturers such as Volkswagen, and the measure is part of a package designed to reduced CO2 emission by 55 per cent in the EU by 2030 and to reach full “carbon neutrality” by 2055.

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EC, states that Europe thus becomes the first continent to establish a legislative structure in order to meet climate change objectives through a series of initiatives which include the switch to zero-emission vehicles within 14 years.

In order to support the alteration to motoring, it is also proposed that re-charging stations should be created on major roads at intervals of at least one every 60 kilometres, and one every 150 kilometres for hydrogen filling stations. EU Member states will be required to adapt their re-charging capacities in line with the increases in electric vehicle sales over the coming years.

Other elements of the package presented include the aim of doubling the use of renewable energy sources, further improving the energy efficiency of buildings, the imposition of new taxes on polluting energy sources and the creation of “carbon sinks” in agriculture and livestock farming.