The "Amendment Ferrari", a loophole to the ban on selling combustion-engine cars in 2035

We know that the European Union wants to ban the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines from the year 2035. But this rule has run into several problems that could jeopardise its implementation. We already know there are countries that do not want to comply with this obligation, but there are also others that have declared themselves in favour of the use of synthetic fuels. This could slightly change the implementation timetable, since there would be internal combustion vehicles that would not emit polluting gases.

But this is still up in the air, and the 27 member states still need to agree and negotiate all these amendments to the law. Yet there is an exception that will apply and will allow brands to continue manufacturing cars with traditional engines beyond January 2035.

This concerns amendment no. 121 to this law. It is known as ‘Amendment Ferrari‘ and will allow certain brands to keep producing cars with combustion engines. That said, the deadline is extended, but not by much. The final date for this will be 31 December 2035, so they are granted a 12-month grace period.

The beneficiaries of this measure are, as you can guess from the name, niche manufacturers, luxury ones. To qualify under the provisions of this amendment, it must be shown that they register only between 1,000 and 10,000 units a year, although for light vehicles this figure rises to 20,000 registered units.

But this name has something curious about it: Ferrari, the brand that lends its name to the amendment, would not fall within this measure. In 2021 Ferrari registered a total of 11,151 vehicles, above the cap set by the amendment, so it would be excluded.

The brands that will indeed fall under what this amendment stipulates are Lamborghini, Lotus, Alpine, Aston Martin, McLaren and Rolls-Royce. Some of these brands have committed to converting their entire range to electric mobility, but even so, they have shown interest in this small breathing space.