SOURCE: Motor Authority
PHOTO by Gustavo Fring
The European Union on Thursday reached a deal for a ban on the sale of new passenger vehicles and light commercials powered by gas and diesel engines, including hybrids, by the year 2035.
The target to have carbon dioxide from vehicles reduced 100% by 2035, which forms part of an overarching plan to see the E.U. become climate neutral by 2050, was first made by the European Commission in 2021.
It then received support from the European Parliament following a vote held in June, and on Thursday received provisional approval by the European Council, composed of the heads of state or government of the E.U. member states, meaning it will now be passed into law.
The target calls for 55% fewer CO2 emissions from new passenger vehicles by 2030 versus 2021 levels as an interim goal, and eventually 100% by 2035. For vans, it will be a 50% reduction by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
Unlike similar plans in California and New York, which classify certain plug-in hybrids as zero-emission vehicles, the E.U.’s target pushes for fully electric vehicles including battery and fuel cell vehicles.