The ministers of the European Union have officially signed a law that will ban the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines after 2035, writes Politico.
This also puts an end to last-minute efforts by Germany and its supporters to delay the new law. However, the possibility to sign the law already on Tuesday, the 28th of March, had its price. The European Commission and Berlin have concluded an agreement on amendments to the law that will apply to e-fuels – a synthetic alternative to fossil fuels that do not produce carbon dioxide emissions.
The law, which envisages
the withdrawal of internal combustion engines from the market is a key part of the EU’s Fit for 55 «green legislation» plan
aimed at reducing vehicle emissions. Along with the 2035 goal of environmentally friendly cars, the legislation also sets the goal of reducing emissions for 2030, which means that car manufacturers will have to significantly increase sales of electric cars in the coming years.
Separate laws will apply to trucks and buses, while another broad package of rules will deal with all pollutants other than carbon dioxide.
Read also: Europe fights over a ban on internal combustion engines