It’s official. The European Parliament has approved a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2035

The European Parliament (EP) approved this Tuesday the European Commission’s proposal to ban the marketing in the European Union (EU) of new light passenger and commercial vehicles exclusively powered by fossil fuels from 2035.

The text, which has already been agreed with the EU member states and was approved by 340 votes in favor, 279 against and 21 abstentions, defines for the sector how to achieve the objectives set out in the target 55 package and which provides, in particular, zero emissions carbon dioxide. (CO2) from new passenger and light commercial vehicles by 2035 — target for the EU fleet to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars and trucks by 100% compared to 2021.

The interim emission reduction targets for 2030 are set at 55% for passenger cars and 50% for light commercial vehicles. Manufacturers that already sell zero- or low-emission vehicles (between 0 and 50 grams of CO2/km, such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids that perform well) are rewarded with lower CO2 reduction targets through an incentive mechanism.

This mechanism will adjust to expected sales trends, whereby from 2025 to 2029, the reference price of sales of zero- or low-emission vehicles is set at 25% for new passenger cars and 17% for new commercial vehicles light vehicles. The incentive will be phased out in 2030.

MEP Sara Cerdas (PS/S&D), shadow rapporteur for the deal approved today, said in a statement that the EU must “take global leadership in the fight against climate change”, stressing that this is “a historic moment” for the defense of the climate and citizens.