Feb. 17, 2023–The European Parliament has approved a law that would ban the sale of new gas and diesel cars as of 2035, Tech Crunch reports.
It says that by 2035, automakers must “achieve a 100% cut in carbon-dioxide emissions from new cars sold,” preventing any “new fossil fuel–powered vehicles” from being sold in all of the EU’s 27 countries.
Additionally, as of 2030 all new cars and vans sold must “meet a 55% and 50% cut in emissions, respectively;” an increase from the original goal of 37.5%.
Member of the European Parliament Jan Huitema said that the new rules “create clarity for the car industry and stimulate innovation and investments for car manufacturers.”
“Purchasing and driving zero-emission cars will become cheaper for consumers and a second-hand market will emerge more quickly. It makes sustainable driving accessible to everyone,” Huitema said.
Many automakers have begun preparing for the transition, but some have voiced concern, such as Renault, who requested an extension to the plan when it was first proposed.
As a result, exceptions are in the law such as “a caveat for small carmakers producing fewer than 10,000 vehicles per year to be able to negotiate weaker targets until 2036.”
