This week the European Parliament has finally approved the measure to ban the sale of gasoline and diesel cars from 2035. In addition, it endorsed the great objective of reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by half in passenger cars by 2030 and new vans. Now, what will happen then? What will happen to my car?
All cars sold will be Zero Emissions
Specifically, the new approved standard sets, based on the levels registered in 2021, the goal of reducing by 2030 the emissions of new-sale passenger cars by 55%, while, in the case of vans, the established reduction is 50%.
After this period, starting in 2035, the law provides that all vehicles sold in the EU must have zero polluting emissions , although, before it enters into force, the text will have to be formally approved by the Member States of the EU. EU, meeting in the Council.
Farewell to this combustion-powered means of transport was almost done in recent months, but now this has been confirmed. Now, what will happen to my gasoline or diesel car then? Does it affect everyone equally? Will the prices of electric cars fall? We answer your questions.
What will happen now?
Already in the autumn of last year, an agreement was reached along these lines by the negotiators of the European Council (the Member States of the EU), the European Parliament and the European Commission. For it to be definitively adopted, it only remains for the 27 countries that make up the EU to give it their go-ahead, a matter that is considered a formal procedure.
Because, beyond the news, the regulation raises a series of doubts about the deadlines and the types of vehicles that will actually be able to circulate on European roads in the coming years.
What cars does it affect?
As it expresses the intention, of course, it affects all cars that are equipped with an internal combustion system. Or what is the same; all cars powered by fossil fuels, whether diesel, gasoline or hybrid , both conventional (HEV) or plug-in (PHEV).
In this case, we again find a loophole in the Law, since it refers to the fact that fuel cars powered by CO2-neutral fuels are allowed. As such, the veto approved by Brussels is limited only to passenger cars and vans, which leaves heavy vehicles such as trucks, coaches or agricultural and construction machinery out of its application .
What will happen to my car after 2035?
It will be possible to continue driving with the current car. The new rules do not mean that all cars on the road have to be CO2 zero emissions by 2035.
These rules do not affect existing cars . If you buy a new car now, it can be driven until the end of its useful life. But, since the average life of a car is 15 years, it is expected that by 2050 all cars will reach CO2 climate neutrality.
Will it be possible to sell second-hand diesel cars from 2035?
As we say, the European Parliament has prohibited the commercialization of diesel cars, but not their use (as long as the Low Emission Zones that have entered into force this 2023 are respected).
In the same way, they will continue to allow the sale of these cars in the second-hand market, they point out from ANFAC where they call for calm: there are 12 years to go, so from today until 2035 there is time to fully enjoy a vehicle of combustion because they have an average life of 15 years, as we mentioned.
Will the price of electric cars fall?
Today electric cars are much more expensive than combustion ones, but that is a trend that should change before then, experts say.
The new regulations should encourage more competition and encourage manufacturers to invest in research and innovation in electric vehicles, which should then lower the purchase price.
