Major Party in European Parliament, 'Home Turf of EU Chief,' Pushes to Scrap Internal Combustion Engine Ban

Low Likelihood of Commission Acceptance for Now

Leader of EPP, the largest party in the European Parliament [EPA Yonhap News File Photo. Reproduction and DB Prohibited] 

The European People's Party (EPP), the center-right majority party in the European Parliament, has signaled its intention to push for the repeal of the so-called "Internal Combustion Engine Sales Ban Law," slated to take effect in 2035, Euractiv reported on the 13th (local time).

Manfred Weber, the leader of the EPP, argued in an interview with the German daily Welt, published on the same day, that the law needs urgent revision to prevent the automotive industry in the EU from being adversely affected.

"I promise Europeans that we will put an end to the phase-out (plan) of internal combustion engines," he said. "We will present a proposal this fall that can overturn this plan."

This marks a public pressure campaign from the EPP, the party of Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, demanding the withdrawal of the Commission's plan.

The law mentioned by Weber aims to gradually reduce the carbon emissions of new vehicles, with a regulation requiring a 100% reduction starting in 2035.

Under this plan, the sale of diesel and gasoline vehicles will be completely prohibited from 2035, hence its common name, the Internal Combustion Engine Sales Ban Law.

Although the legislative process concluded after much struggle in 2023, concerns are growing over the unexpected sluggishness of electric vehicle sales in Europe and the competitive disadvantage against Chinese electric vehicles, leading to persistent calls for regulatory relaxation.

The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, is also considering the possibility of revision.

Von der Leyen stated the previous day, following a strategic dialogue with the automotive industry, that they would "combine decarbonization and technological neutrality." This has been interpreted as a sign of flexibility, not solely relying on electric vehicles for the automotive industry's decarbonization process.

However, the likelihood of the Commission accepting Weber's proposal for a "repeal" is currently low. This raises the possibility of conflict between the Commission and the right-wing bloc in the European Parliament.

Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market, stated the previous day, while acknowledging the need for flexibility in the law, that the carbon reduction target year itself should remain 2035, drawing a line.