A call to the European Parliament and EU Governments to support the European Commission’s proposed phase-out of new diesel and petrol cars by 2035

Last year the European Commission proposed a 2035 phase out date as part of the Fit for 55 Package. The adoption of this proposal will determine whether Europe is on track to meet net zero emissions by 2050 and fulfil its obligations under the Paris Agreement. It will also determine the future of one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases and air pollution – cars and vans.

MEPs and EU governments are currently deciding new clean car rules, including a proposal by the EU commission that only zero-emission new cars and vans - and not hybrids - can be sold EU-wide from 2035. Leading businesses want to see that these proposals are translated into legislation, including three global car makers and some of the largest fleets in Europe.

The letter

Policies put in place in the next few years will decide whether the world has a fighting chance to curb climate change. In the EU, the “Fit for 55” climate package will determine whether Europe is on track to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and fulfil its obligations under the Paris Agreement. It will also determine the future of one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases and air pollution on the continent — cars and vans.

Together, passenger cars and light commercial vehicles are responsible for 15% of all Europe’s CO2 emissions. To enable all cars and vans on the road to reach zero emissions by 2050, the last car with any combustion engine, including hybrids, should be sold no later than 2035. Cars and vans are also the single largest source of nitrogen dioxide pollution, which EEA estimates to cause over 40,000 premature deaths in Europe every year.

The solution to both climate damage and dangerous air pollution is readily available. Electric vehicles offer the opportunity to cost-effectively replace the polluting internal combustion engine (ICE) and usher in a new era of zero emission mobility. Manufacturing and demand for electric cars is rapidly growing: every fifth car sold across the EU in 2021 had a plug.

Over a dozen car brands have voluntarily pledged to only sell electric cars in Europe in the next decade. We need European decision-makers to recognise this ambition but ensure laggards don’t delay the market shift. The European Commission has recognised this and proposed, via the review of the EU car and van CO2 emissions regulation, that only zero emission new cars and vans can be sold EU-wide from 2035. This is also in line with the global industry goal in leading markets as agreed at COP26.

As Members of the European Parliament and representatives of European governments, the proposals are now in your hands as you decide how fast an emissions-free revolution will happen in Europe.

We call on you to put in place an EU-wide phase-out for sales of new internal combustion engine passenger cars and vans (including hybrids) no later than 2035. This should be enshrined into legislation by setting the 2035 fleet-wide CO2 target at 0 gram CO2/km for vehicle manufacturers.

This will set in motion an urgently needed systemic transformation and make Europe a global leader in a key industry for a net zero future. To be successful, this will also require a package of measures, notably support for faster and better roll-out of public and private charging infrastructure with a European right to plug and ambitious mandatory targets on public charging, a just transition framework for Europe’s automotive workers and businesses affected, smart tax incentives for companies and individuals and targeted investments into green supply chains.

We call on you to show leadership on climate change and industrial vision. The Fitfor55 climate package is a once in a decade opportunity to set Europe on track to zero emissions that you as decision-makers of this generation cannot waste.