End of combustion car sales in 2035: Will the debate restart in 2026?

European Commissioner Thierry Breton advocates for a review clause in 2026 and 2030 to re-discuss the end of thermal car sales in Europe.

Everything seemed settled, or nearly so. For months, the European Union has been slowly but surely progressing towards a text on “Fit for 55,” a plan to cut CO₂ emissions by 55% by 2030. Knowing that transportation accounts for 30% of emissions, the EU has submitted and voted multiple times on the end of sales of combustion engine cars by 2035. Some exceptions have been granted, but the European Commission and the European Parliament reached an agreement a few days ago. However, European Commissioner Thierry Breton still finds reasons to oppose it.

Re-discussing the 2035 ban, starting in 2026

“I respect democracy. And this decision was strongly supported politically across Europe by all countries. I am therefore committed to doing everything I can to ensure its enforcement,” clarifies T. Breton in an interview with Les Echos, “but I have insisted that a review clause be adopted for 2026.”

What does this review clause mean? The commissioner confirms “the creation of a working group,” which will include “major automakers, suppliers, unions, user associations, cities, electricity operators, etc.” This group, gathered every 3 months, aims “to identify and address difficulties in implementing this massive transformation.”

Behind this group, or rather the automotive lobby, Thierry Breton already mentions the possibility of “adapting measures supporting the 2035 trajectory in 2026, or even before.” In practical terms, he is already questioning the end of combustion car sales in 2035 and a possible postponement.

Why is Breton so worried?

For the Frenchman, this date still seems too risky for many reasons. He first raises concerns about employment. “We anticipate that the shift to electric will destroy 600,000 jobs,” he states, without mentioning job creation in the electric sector.

He also points out that a “electric vehicle currently costs 27% more than its petrol equivalent“, averaging around 56,000 euros. This high price does not account for lower operational costs (less expensive to recharge).

Regarding other issues, he wants to “ensure we have enough critical raw materials and avoid imposing new dependencies,” especially regarding lithium, cobalt, graphite, or nickel. He also highlights “the issue of infrastructure [which] poses risks of social and inter-regional disparities in Europe”. On this matter, the EU has already launched a project for fast charging stations every 60 km at minimum on all motorways. “We estimate the need for 7 million charging stations by 2030,” adds the European commissioner, “but we have only reached 350,000, 70% of which are currently in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.”

A resurgence for combustion cars?

“I also encourage industries to continue producing combustion cars, generate quality jobs, and remain exporters,” continues Thierry Breton, “even in Europe, 20% of the circulating vehicle fleet will still be combustion-powered in 2050.”

The French official seems intent on creating another group “to define the technologies that should, for example, be developed in fuel chemistry, mechanical engineering, thermal combustion.” He also points out that Euro 7 standards—limiting harmful gas emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles—will not be the only solution to improve their efficiency. Additionally, he wants to include “particles emitted by brakes and tires“, which, according to him, “electric cars emit more of.”

Also read: Europe: already 1 million electric cars sold in 2022