EU adopted a ban on fossil fuel engines, with an exception for e-fuels

The member states of the European Union confirmed on Tuesday a regulation that provides for a ban on the sale of new vehicles with internal combustion engines from 2035, with the exception of vehicles that will use synthetic, so-called e-fuels.

The European Parliament voted on the agreed text of the regulation in mid-February, but the final adoption was blocked in early March in the EU Council after Germany opposed it at the last minute and requested that the sale of new vehicles with internal combustion engines using e-fuels be allowed. Germany was joined in this opposition by Italy, Poland, and Bulgaria.

After the European Commission reached an agreement with Germany that the existing text of the law banning vehicles with internal combustion engines remains unchanged, the Commission committed to adopting a delegated regulation that will introduce a new category of vehicles in the EU for cars that can only run on carbon-neutral fuels.

Today, at the meeting of energy ministers, Italy, Romania, and Bulgaria abstained from voting, Poland was the only one against, and all other member states were in favor.

The regulation comes into effect on the date of publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The regulation provides for a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from new cars by 55 percent and from light commercial vehicles by 50 percent from 2030 to 2034, and a 100 percent reduction from 2035 for both categories of these vehicles.

According to a statement from the Council, the Commission will present a proposal for the registration of vehicles on carbon-neutral fuels after 2035.

Synthetic or e-fuels are produced from pure hydrogen and carbon dioxide taken from the atmosphere. These fuels can be used in today’s internal combustion engines. The combustion of these fuels releases carbon dioxide that has already been taken from the atmosphere, so it does not contribute to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, and according to the delegated regulation, this will be considered carbon-neutral fuel.

The technology for producing e-fuels is still in its infancy and far from commercialization. Their production requires huge amounts of electricity from renewable sources to obtain pure hydrogen through electrolysis.

Many warn of the potential for abuse since conventional fuels will still be sold at gas stations even after 2035, as vehicles produced before that year will still be in operation.