Negotiations continue in Brussels: will combustion engines be able to continue beyond 2035?

Everything seems set for the European Union to ban the sale of cars with combustion engines from the year 2035. But in response to demands from several countries, a door is opening for cars with this type of engine to remain legal beyond that date. Italy was the first country to propose exemptions to this measure, but Hungary and Poland have since joined. Now it is Germany’s turn to propose exceptions.

In this case, Germany proposes that combustion engines could keep running beyond that date, but only on synthetic fuels. These fuels, of which Germany is the main producer and into which it is investing large sums of money, do not emit polluting gases and could be a good alternative to natural fuels, which are the ones causing emission problems.

Engines yes, but with synthetic fuel

Germany’s proposal is built around this type of fuel. The exemption would be conditional on the use of these synthetic fuels. If it goes ahead, models with combustion engines that run on them could still be sold, while all others would be banned across the entire European area.

The European Union’s roadmap rests on two dates. The first is 2030, when it is set that cars without some form of electrification that reduces emissions can no longer be sold. 2035 is when the sale of all cars with a combustion engine will be banned.

Faced with that ban, the countries that produce the most engines want exemptions that prevent the total disappearance of those engines. Germany proposes this measure, while Italy argues that luxury vehicles from brands that produce fewer than 1,000 units a year should also fall outside the rule. All these issues may delay the final decision and lead to exceptions to the law.

That means that from 2030 cars with combustion engines could continue to be sold, provided they meet the exceptions that may arise from these requests. This, of course, only if the requests that Germany and other countries will submit to the European Council are approved.