The European Union has presented a new package for the automotive industry, aimed at supporting the sector’s transition while taking market realities into account. In a significant shift, the Commission now proposes a 90% reduction in average CO₂ emissions instead of the previously planned 100% reduction for new cars from 2035. This means greater flexibility for manufacturers, while maintaining the overall direction towards climate neutrality.

In practice, this means:

• from 2035, the vast majority of new cars will need to have very low CO₂ emissions,

• some vehicles with combustion engines (e.g. hybrids or range-extender vehicles) could remain on the market, provided manufacturers offset remaining emissions through other climate-friendly solutions.

The proposals still require approval by EU Member States and the European Parliament, but they clearly show the EU’s intention to balance climate ambitions with industrial competitiveness and economic realities.