Spain Urges EU to Maintain 2035 Combustion Engine Ban Amid Industry Pressure

Spain has urged the European Union to stand by its commitment to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, warning that any dilution of the policy would weaken climate ambition and create damaging uncertainty for industry. The position is outlined in a letter sent to EU institutions and member states, as seen by Reuters, amid intensifying debate over the future of Europe’s transport decarbonization rules.

The 2035 target is a central pillar of the EU’s climate strategy for road transport. Under current legislation, all new cars and vans sold in the bloc from that year must produce zero tailpipe emissions, effectively requiring a transition to battery electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Transport Emissions and EU Climate Targets

Road transport accounts for around a quarter of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with passenger cars responsible for a significant share. Unlike the power sector, where emissions have fallen sharply, transport emissions have declined more slowly, making policy intervention critical to meeting the bloc’s wider climate goals.

The EU has legally committed to cutting net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels and to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. According to Spain, weakening the 2035 vehicle emissions rule would put these targets at risk and increase the burden on other sectors to compensate.

Industry Pressure and Calls for Flexibility

In recent months, pressure has grown from parts of the automotive industry and several member states to revisit the timeline. Critics argue that electric vehicles remain too expensive for many consumers, charging infrastructure is unevenly distributed across Europe, and manufacturers face intense global competition.

Some governments and industry groups have also pushed for a broader role for alternative fuels, including synthetic e-fuels, beyond the limited exemption already agreed for vehicles that can run exclusively on such fuels after 2035.

Spain’s letter pushes back against these arguments, warning that reopening the legislation would delay investment decisions and slow down the deployment of clean technologies.

Investment Certainty and Competitiveness

Madrid emphasizes that regulatory certainty is essential for Europe’s industrial competitiveness. Automakers, battery producers, utilities, and infrastructure developers have committed billions of euros based on the assumption that the 2035 deadline would remain unchanged.

According to Spain, altering the rules now would undermine investor confidence and risk leaving European manufacturers behind competitors in China and the United States, where electric vehicle supply chains are advancing rapidly with strong policy support.

Implications for the Automotive Sector

The transition away from internal combustion engines represents one of the biggest transformations in the history of Europe’s automotive industry, which employs millions of people across the bloc. The shift requires large-scale retooling of factories, workforce reskilling, and the development of new supply chains for batteries and critical raw materials.

Spain argues that a clear and ambitious timeline helps companies manage this transition in a structured way. Delaying or weakening the target, it says, could prolong uncertainty and increase long-term costs for manufacturers and suppliers.

National Interests and Clean Mobility Hubs

Spain’s stance also reflects its domestic economic strategy. The country has positioned itself as an emerging hub for electric vehicle production and battery manufacturing, supported by EU recovery funds and national incentive programmes. Several large-scale projects are already underway, aimed at strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy in clean technologies.

Spanish authorities see the 2035 ban not only as a climate measure but also as a driver of industrial investment, regional development, and job creation.

Energy Systems and Infrastructure Impacts

Beyond vehicle manufacturing, the policy has broader implications for energy systems and infrastructure. A growing fleet of electric vehicles will increase electricity demand but also enable smarter energy use through managed charging and vehicle-to-grid technologies.

Spain highlights that electrification aligns well with Europe’s expanding renewable energy capacity. Countries with strong solar and wind resources could benefit from closer integration between clean power generation and transport demand.

Next Steps at the EU Level

The European Commission has so far maintained that the 2035 target remains intact, while acknowledging the need to monitor progress and address challenges such as affordability and charging availability. Any formal proposal to amend the regulation would require approval from both EU member states and the European Parliament.

As discussions continue, Spain’s intervention underscores the political and economic stakes of the decision. For industries across automotive manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure, the outcome will shape investment strategies and emissions trajectories well into the next decade.

Source: www.reuters.com