Germany Pushes to Ease EU's 2035 Petrol and Diesel Car Ban

Germany is preparing to ask the European Union to soften its planned 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, according to a report from The Guardian. The move reflects growing pressure from Germany’s automotive industry, which has warned that a strict phase-out could harm jobs and competitiveness.

The EU’s 2035 target effectively requires all new cars sold in the bloc to be zero-emission, a policy designed to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles. Germany’s push signals a potential clash between climate goals and industrial priorities, as Europe’s largest economy weighs the future of its flagship carmakers.

If the EU agrees to revise the ban, it could open the door to alternatives such as plug-in hybrids or synthetic fuels, though critics argue that delaying the transition would undermine investment in charging infrastructure and battery technology. The outcome will shape the continent’s automotive landscape for years to come.