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heise+ | Commentary on the End of the Combustion Engine: What Are They Up To?
Mobility1 min read
This is a German opinion piece from heise+ about the EU plan to end sales of new petrol and diesel cars. Only a short preview of the article is available, and it is mostly about the background and the debate.
What happened
The EU agreed in 2022 that new cars sold in the EU from 2035 on must have zero CO₂ emissions when driving. The rule does not pick a technology, so car makers can choose how to reach it. Since the deal, some politicians and groups have pushed back, and the compromise has been debated again and again.
Why the plan is important
Cars with combustion engines burn fuel that releases CO₂, a gas that heats the planet. Without burning such fuel, a combustion engine cannot run. So a zero-CO₂ rule for new cars effectively means the end of the combustion engine for new sales in the EU. The author notes that the combustion engine is still installed in most new cars worldwide in 2026.
Key facts
- The original 2022 agreement set a fleet limit that falls step by step to zero grams of CO₂.
- The target applies to new car registrations in the EU, starting after 2034.
- The combustion engine is still the most common engine in new cars worldwide in 2026.
Why it matters
The debate shows how hard it is to cut car emissions. Supporters say the rule is needed to fight climate change. Critics want a softer deal. The article argues that the compromise is being weakened step by step, and it asks whether the plan will hold.
What to watch
- Whether the EU keeps the 2035 zero-emission rule or softens it further.
- How car makers respond and which technologies they choose.
- Whether the full article adds new details about the political push-back.
Glossary
- CO₂
- Carbon dioxide, a gas made when fuel burns. It is a main cause of climate change.
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