The end of combustion engines may be postponed after all

The debate on the future of internal combustion engines has returned to the centre of the European stage. After months of pressure from manufacturers and several Member States, the European Union is now considering revising the timeline that planned to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035. The change is not definitive, but it is a clear sign that the energy transition may become more gradual than initially expected.

The decision comes after growing pressure from carmakers such as BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Stellantis, who warned of three unresolved problems: insufficient charging infrastructure, the high prices of electric vehicles and the risk of losing hundreds of thousands of jobs in a sector that supports more than 13 million workers in Europe.

Governments such as Germany and Italy have also openly defended a more flexible plan, arguing that the continent cannot discard technologies that help reduce emissions without harming competitiveness.

A letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, appears to have been the decisive moment. A few days later, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Transport, confirmed that Brussels is willing to reassess the regulation approved in 2023, provided that there are guarantees of carbon neutrality.

What could change

The proposal under review does not eliminate the climate target, but opens the door to the continued use of combustion engines under one essential condition: they may only be approved if they use renewable, low-emission fuels.

Among the fuels under consideration are:

• HVO100, a diesel fully derived from vegetable oils and animal fats, capable of reducing emissions by up to 90%;

• Synthetic fuels (e-fuels), such as those produced by Porsche in Chile from water and CO₂ using wind energy, also with estimated reductions of around 90%.

The industry sees these alternatives as a way to gain time until the charging infrastructure and the costs of zero-emission vehicles evolve to more accessible levels for consumers.

The automotive package that could redefine 2035

The European Commission is preparing a new support package for the automotive sector, which will include a revision of CO₂ targets, possible adjustments to the energy transition and measures to ensure competitiveness. The presentation, initially scheduled for 10 December, has been postponed for a few weeks. According to Tzitzikostas, it is better to take longer and ensure “permanent and clear” decisions than to move forward with a plan that creates even more uncertainty.

The goal is to find a balance: maintaining climate ambition without neglecting the economic, social and labour impact of such a profound change.

And what does this mean for drivers?

For millions of European motorists, the possibility of extending the life of combustion engines brings some relief, especially for those who cannot charge an electric car at home. Even so, the situation remains complex:

• Charging infrastructure is still expanding unevenly.

• Electric vehicles remain expensive.

• Synthetic fuels are still highly inefficient and costly.

• There is currently no sufficient production to supply the mass market.

Meanwhile, electric vehicles continue to gain ground: they already account for 18.3% of sales in the first ten months of the year, although they remain behind hybrids, which lead with 34.7%.

The debate is far from over

The possible revision of the 2035 goal does not shut the door on electrification; it simply recognises that the path may need to be more flexible. Some manufacturers, such as Volvo and Polestar, argue that the original plan should remain, while others welcome the technological openness.

What is certain is that Europe is at a decisive moment. And until Brussels presents its final rules, the automotive industry will continue to navigate a constantly changing landscape, where combustion, electric and renewable fuels will share the spotlight.