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EU approves law to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars by 2035

Published by Uma Rajagopal

Posted on March 28, 2023

1 min read

· Last updated: February 2, 2026

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Queues of cars at a petrol station amid EU's new CO2 emissions law - Global Banking & Finance Review
An image depicting long queues at Paris petrol stations, highlighting the impact of the EU's new law ending sales of CO2-emitting cars by 2035, as Germany secures an e-fuels exemption.
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BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union countries’ energy ministers gave final approval on Tuesday to a law ending sales of new CO2-emitting cars in the EU in 2035, after Germany won an exemption for cars running on e-fuels. The law will now enter into force. It will require all new cars sold to have zero CO2 […]

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union countries’ energy ministers gave final approval on Tuesday to a law ending sales of new CO2-emitting cars in the EU in 2035, after Germany won an exemption for cars running on e-fuels.

The law will now enter into force. It will require all new cars sold to have zero CO2 emissions from 2035, and 55% lower CO2 emissions from 2030, versus 2021 levels.

The European Commission has pledged, however, to propose additional rules allowing sales of new combustion engine cars that only run on e-fuels to continue after 2035, after Germany demanded this exemption from the ban.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CO2 emission?
CO2 emission refers to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from burning fossil fuels, which contributes to climate change.
What are e-fuels?
E-fuels, or electrofuels, are synthetic fuels produced using renewable electricity, water, and carbon dioxide, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What is a combustion engine?
A combustion engine is an engine that generates power by burning fuel, typically gasoline or diesel, to create energy through combustion.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often focusing on environmental conservation.

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