EU and Germany Agree to Ban Sales of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles from 2035

Only Carbon-Neutral Fuel Vehicles Can Be Newly Registered
Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles Using Synthetic Fuel Are Exempted

The European Union (EU) has reached an agreement with Germany to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles, such as gasoline and diesel cars, starting from 2035 to achieve carbon neutrality.

According to Bloomberg and other sources, Germany and the EU agreed on the 25th (local time) on a law to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles, allowing only new registrations of carbon-neutral fuel vehicles from 2035. Volker Wissing, Germany's Minister of Transport, stated, "If only carbon-neutral fuels are used, the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles will still be possible after 2035."

Originally, the bill aimed to ban the sale of all new internal combustion engine vehicles, but reflecting Germany's demands, an exception was made for internal combustion engine vehicles using synthetic fuels (E-Fuels). Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President for Climate Action at the European Commission, announced on Twitter, "We have reached an agreement with Germany regarding synthetic fuels."

The European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council composed of 27 member states agreed last October to implement a law banning carbon dioxide emissions from internal combustion engine passenger cars, vans, and small commercial vehicles starting in 2035. However, Germany and Italy blocked the final approval. Germany has insisted that the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles using hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO₂) synthetic fuels should also be permitted.

[Image source=Yonhap News]