Brussels defends maintaining the ban on cars that emit_CO2 in 2035 because it gives “certainty”

The European Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, reaffirmed on Wednesday the commitment to maintain the ban on new cars and vans that emit CO₂ by 2035 because it offers “certainty” to manufacturers and investors and facilitates a “just transition” towards a decarbonised economy.

“We are pragmatic (…). A clear framework with a clear target for 2035 provides certainty to manufacturers and investors and to facilitate a just transition,” Hoekstra said in a debate on the future of automotive in the European Parliament.

The Dutch Christian Democrat was reluctant to “change why and what we do”, after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he wants the European Union’s planned ban on the sale of CO₂-emitting combustion engine vehicles to be lifted by 2035, due to the current difficulties in the automotive industry and joining Italy’s position.

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