Czech Republic pushing for reversal of 2035 combustion-engine car ban

The Czech Republic is pushing for the reversal of the EU decision to end sales of new combustion-engine cars from 2035, the Czech News Agency reported. According to outgoing Transport Minister Martin Kupka, Italy, Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria are behind the Czech proposal. The German government is also seeking to ease the post-2035 sales ban.

The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU agreed three years ago to phase out sales of new combustion-engine vehicles from 2035. However, the deal included a clause requiring the Commission to reassess the target in 2026, taking into account market conditions, technological progress and economic impacts. The Commission recently announced it would bring the review forward to the end of this year, following requests from several member states.