Final Council agreement on the combustion engine phase out

Today, the Energy Ministers will finally approve the deal to end the combustion engine in cars and vans by 2035.

Terry Reintke MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, comments:

"Today, the end of the internal combustion engine is confirmed. Finally, the reckless blockade ends, along with the future of the combustion engine. The compromise, which was reached months ago, is clear: in 2035 we will definitely move on from polluting cars to zero-emission transport only. This is a good day for the future of Europe’s industrial competitiveness.”

Philippe Lamberts MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, comments:

“In politics, and especially at the EU level, trust is paramount. In order to strengthen their dwindling political support, the German Liberals have caused massive damage to the trustworthiness of the German government. This attitude should have been held in check by the German Chancellor, who yet again demonstrated a worrying lack of leadership. His top priority needs to be to restore confidence with his EU partners in the Council and the European Parliament. This cannot happen again, lest the robustness of the EU legislative process be permanently harmed.”