The year 2035. It sounds like a target in a sci-fi movie, doesn’t it? But for Europe, it was supposed to be the year we said goodbye to gas-guzzling cars for good. Now, on September 13, 2025, it seems that ambitious deadline is sparking a big debate. Europe might just push back the farewell to combustion engines from 2035 to 2040. There are a lot of different opinions clashing, and it looks like the old gas engine isn’t ready to disappear yet.
Back in 2021, the plan was clear. By 2035, new cars with internal combustion engines would no longer be sold in Europe. Fast forward four years, and electric vehicles have come a long way. Many carmakers now offer electric models. New brands from China and better technology have even made EVs more affordable.
Yet, despite all these advancements, electric car sales in Europe just aren’t taking off as hoped. They make up only 15% of new cars sold across the continent. For vans, the numbers are even lower, hitting just 9%.
The 2035 Deadline Under Fire
Sticking to the 2035 target, which aims for only electric cars to be sold, seems unrealistic. This is especially true when you look at how slowly new EVs are being registered across Europe. Countries like Norway are way ahead, with many electric cars already on their roads. But places like Italy and Spain are lagging far behind. Portugal, it’s worth noting, is slightly ahead of those two.
Just last month, the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) sent a formal letter to the European government. They asked for a review of the goals, calling them “no longer feasible.”
Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz and ACEA President, signed the document. Matthias Zink, CEO of Schaeffler AG’s engine and chassis division, also signed for the parts industry.
Källenius told the German newspaper Handelsblatt that “Meeting the strict CO2 targets for cars and vans by 2030 and 2035, in today’s world, is simply no longer possible.” He added, “Legal requirements and penalties won’t drive this change. We must be realistic. Otherwise, we will hit a wall at full speed.”
The auto industry argues that significant progress has been made with current technologies. They point to better batteries and more efficient gasoline engines. An extra ten years of development, they believe, could make these technologies even more efficient. This would allow them to remain viable beyond 2035, maybe even until 2040. The industry suggests that while electric cars will lead, there should also be room for plug-in hybrids, extended-range EVs, and even high-efficiency combustion engines running on hydrogen or decarbonized fuels.
Companies Pushing to Keep the Original Goals
Not everyone agrees with delaying the deadline. A group of 150 companies, including some from the car industry, sent their own letter to Ursula von der Leyen. They are urging her not to push back the ban on gas car sales to 2040. These companies want no more changes. They insist that the limits approved in 2023 should stay.
Their document states, “Stand firm, do not back down. Preserve the full integrity of the zero-emissions target for cars and vans in 2035.” Major players like Iberdrola, Ikea, LG Energy Solutions, Uber, Cabify, and Volvo signed this letter. They believe the original timeline is still achievable and necessary.
A Crossroads for Europe
The decision now rests with the European government. They have to weigh both sides of this argument. Their choice will affect both citizens and a huge industry. This industry makes up 7% of Europe’s economy and provides jobs for 13 million people.
It’s a tough spot. The environmental goals set four years ago were clear. Starting in 2035, no new internal combustion engine cars, including hybrids, could be sold in Europe. That would leave only electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as options.
The auto industry wants more flexibility. They want to include alternatives for at least a few years after the deadline. This could mean highly efficient internal combustion engines using synthetic fuels. It also includes the latest plug-in hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles. These technologies have seen big improvements in recent years, with bigger batteries and more efficient engines. The industry believes another decade of development could make them even better. This would allow them to be part of the solution beyond 2035 or even 2040.