While Sweden is firmly committed to banning internal combustion engines by 2035, other EU nations are starting to push back.
Countries like Italy, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia have made it clear they oppose the proposed ban on new combustion engines, arguing it could do more harm than good. This was reported by Boosted.
A Growing Divide
Italy has been especially vocal in criticizing the EU’s plans.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has argued that the green transition shouldn’t mean shutting down entire industries. She called the ban “self-destructive” for both the environment and the automotive sector in an interview with Reuters. Italy’s energy minister has also urged the EU to rethink its approach.
Automakers are joining the fight too.
BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, has warned that a ban could make Europe even more reliant on China for electric vehicle materials and technology.
Germany’s Loophole
Despite the backlash, the 2035 ban is still moving forward, but Germany has secured a key exception: combustion engines running on synthetic fuel will still be allowed.
Synthetic fuels are emerging as a promising alternative, and many automakers are already preparing for this shift.
Stellantis — maker of brands like Opel, Peugeot, Citroën, and Jeep — has confirmed that up to 28 million of its cars can run on synthetic fuel today.
Luxury brands like Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari are also investing in new technologies. Ferrari, for example, is working on a hydrogen-powered V6 engine, while Porsche and Lamborghini are exploring artificial gasoline.
Even Toyota and BMW are exploring synthetic fuel options as part of their long-term plans.
A Different Perspective
Outside the EU, Norway offers a different take.
There’s no official ban on new petrol or diesel cars, but electric vehicles already make up 90% of new car sales.
Despite this, a recent survey by NAF (Norway’s equivalent of FDM) revealed that 9 out of 10 Norwegians believe petrol cars won’t disappear after 2025.
