Brussels Faces Pressure to Revise 2035 Combustion Engine Ban as Six Nations Push for Hybrid Vehicle Future
A coalition of six European Union member states – Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria - is urging the EU to maintain the possibility of selling hybrid vehicles and highly efficient internal combustion engine (ICE) cars after the planned 2035 ban on new combustion engine sales. The move comes as the european Commission finalizes its review of the legislation.
The countries argue that a complete ban is driven by “ideological dogmatism” and has negatively impacted manufacturing sectors without delivering proportional environmental benefits. They are calling for “technological neutrality,” allowing a range of technologies to contribute to emissions reductions. The request also includes advocating for the recognition of biofuels as zero-emission fuels.
Outgoing Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala reportedly signed the letter outlining these demands, as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA on Friday. Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka stated Thursday that the Czech Republic had again raised the issue in Brussels, joined by Italy, Poland, Slovakia, and Bulgaria.
Separately, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also appealed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, requesting that the 2035 deadline allow for the continued sale of “highly efficient internal combustion engines” and hybrid vehicles.