The European Commission unveiled a plan on Tuesday to drop the EU's effective ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035 after pressure from the region's auto sector, marking the bloc's biggest retreat from its green policies in recent years.
The move, which still needs approval from EU governments and the European Parliament, would allow continued sales of some non-electric vehicles. Carmakers in regional industrial powerhouse Germany and in Italy had sought easing of the rules.
The EU executive appears to have bowed to calls from carmakers to keep selling plug-in hybrids and range extenders that burn fuel as they struggle to compete against Tesla, opens new tab and Chinese electric vehicle makers.
The thing is, if only 27% drive in electric mode, that indicates deeper problems. If it was possible for people to easily charge their vehicles, most would use electricity, it's way cheaper. The fact they aren't indicates that the infrastructure just isn't there. Most people don't live in the suburbs, and I don't know for other countries but here like 70% of parking is done on the street or on open parking lots. Even in larger garages, I don't think there's a single one here with more than a token 4-5 charging stations. We have to first fix that before electric cars become viable for the majority of people. If this bans normal ICE cars but leaves plug-in hybrids I think that's actually fine, since as infrastructure improves these cars will become more and more like full EVs.