Technological neutrality: Ending combustion engine ban takes key step

The law aiming to reverse the ban on combustion engine cars in the EU shifts into gear today, when Parliament's lead negotiator, EPP Group MEP Massimiliano Salini presents his report. The European Parliament's Environment Committee will debate his proposals to revise CO2 targets for cars and vans.

"The future of European mobility must be zero-emission, but not single-solution. We want a Europe that leads the transition, not one that merely endures it, maintaining a balance between environmental protection, innovation and jobs," said Salini.

"This is a concrete proposal that combines sustainability and competitiveness, without ideological preconceptions. Our goal is to build an effective, realistic decarbonisation path consistent with the principle of technological neutrality. We must ensure the development of all available technologies, without imposing single solutions that could penalise European businesses and workers. Only by also recognising renewable fuels can we guarantee real technological neutrality and accelerate the decarbonisation of road transport," Salini stressed. 

The proposal introduces a new category of zero-emission vehicles running exclusively on renewable fuels, treated as equivalent to electric vehicles. It adjusts the unconditional 90% CO2 reduction target for cars to include flexibilities such as credits for renewable fuels and low-carbon steel. For vans, the 2030 interim target is reduced from 40% to 30%. The compliance assessment period is extended from three to five years, and super-credits for small cars and vans are expanded to encourage accessible, low-emission models.