Germany to seek easing of 2035 EU combustion engine ban

The German government has decided to push for an easing of the planned EU ban on new combustion engine cars from 2035, sources told dpa on Friday.

"Highly efficient combustion engines" should still be permitted after 2035, the German coalition has reportedly agreed.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to write a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlining the new German position, which follows months of coalition wrangling.

The EU decided in 2022 that new cars will no longer be allowed to emit climate-damaging carbon dioxide, CO2, from 2035.

This would effectively mean that new cars with combustion engines would no longer be allowed to be registered.

Following serious criticism from car manufacturers and some EU countries, however, the European Commission in Brussels announced plans to review the regulation.

The commission is expected to present a proposal based on the review on December 10.