Germany and France push to ease EU rules on internal-combustion car sales after 2035
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed on a joint stance to relax upcoming EU standards for new cars, while Germany will accept tighter EU production rules for the auto sector.
Insiders say German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have aligned on a core position to loosen the EU's forthcoming regulations governing new car registrations after 2035. The plan would make it easier for conventional combustion engines to remain on the market, while Germany would support more rigorous EU production standards for the sector. EU law currently mandates that the average emissions of newly registered vehicles fall to zero by that date, effectively banning traditional petrol and diesel cars.
The European Commission previously suggested a partial reduction, but the exact terms of the Franco-German initiative are still being negotiated. EU diplomats note that the remaining elements of the agreement are subject to further talks.
Why it matters
The shift could alter the timeline for phasing out gasoline cars across Europe, affecting manufacturers and consumers.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage highlights the rapid growth of affordable electric models and frames opposition to the ban as driven by conservative groups, while right-leaning coverage focuses on a Franco-German political initiative to loosen post-2035 combustion-engine restrictions.
LEFT
Emphasizes the surge in budget-friendly electric cars as evidence of EU climate policy success and criticises attempts by conservative forces to soften the 2035 ban
RIGHT
Centers on the Franco-German plan to relax EU rules, presenting it as a coordinated political effort to keep combustion cars on the market after 2035
The left emphasises
- Europe will have 16 budget-friendly electric models by end-2026, twice the number a year earlier
- EU climate regulations are driving manufacturers to focus on electric sales
- conservative and extremist groups are seeking to soften the 2035 ban
The right emphasises
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are aligning to loosen EU regulations after 2035
- the plan would make it easier for conventional combustion engines to remain on the market
- EU law currently mandates zero-emission new registrations by 2035
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