Brussels, February 14, 2023 - The European Parliament has passed a major law to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the European Union (EU) from 2035. The new law aims to hasten the transition towards Electric Vehicles (EV’s). The European Parliament voted in favour of a proposal that would require all new cars and vans sold in the EU to have zero emissions by 2035.

With 340 votes in favour, 279 against and 21 abstentions, the new law sets a path for an immediate emission reduction target. The new rules will require car manufacturers to achieve a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars sold by 2035. This will make it impossible for fossil fuel-powered cars to be sold in the 27-nation bloc. The law also sets a target of a 55% cut in CO2 emissions for new cars sold from 2030, compared to 2021 levels, which is significantly higher than the existing target of 37.5%.

During an interview with the EU Parliament Multimedia, the parliament's lead negotiator on the ruling, Jan Huitema explained that the new rules will not affect existing petrol and diesel-driven cars. Current cars can still be driven and it will still be possible to buy and sell second-hand petrol and diesel cars after 2035. However, the cost of ownership for these cars might increase.

The new ruling will drive up the cost of fuel, maintenance, purchasing and insurance. In contrast, electric-powered vehicles are currently more cost-efficient due to lower electricity prices and less maintenance. Battery-electric vehicles are expected to be the most popular type of zero CO2 emission cars, as they are more affordable and have a longer driving range than other options.

As for infrastructure, manufacturers are working on introducing the latest innovations in the EV industry. The EU Parliament has recently agreed on its position for alternative fuel infrastructure to provide for more electric charging stations as well.

Nevertheless, the new law is expected to have a significant impact on the automotive industry in Europe and beyond. With the EU being one of the world's largest markets for new cars, the move towards electric vehicles is likely to accelerate the global shift towards cleaner transportation.