EU Countries Resist France and Germany Over the 2035 Car CO2 Target
Several EU member states oppose the joint position of Germany and France that would cut the 2035 CO2 target for new cars to 90% with no requirement to offset the rest, Bloomberg reported on 6 November. Ireland, which chairs the negotiations among governments, has circulated a compromise that keeps the 90% figure but makes carmakers cover the remaining 10% through fuels and green-steel credits, Just Auto added on 9 November.
Key takeaways
- Franco-German plan: 90% CO2 cut by 2035, remaining 10% not offset.
- Irish compromise: 90% cut, with the last 10% offset by fuel mechanisms and low-carbon steel and aluminium credits.
- European Parliament environment committee backed a 95% target with up to 7.5 points from green steel.
- EU ambassadors were scheduled to discuss three proposals on 11 November.
Three versions of the 2035 rule
Current law requires a 100% cut in average new-car CO2 emissions by 2035, which in practice means only zero-emission cars could be sold. The European Commission proposed in late 2025 to lower this to 90%, roughly 11 g/km, with the remaining 10% fully compensated through green steel and climate-friendly fuels. In October 2026 Germany and France agreed a common position: keep the 90% figure but drop the compensation requirement, which would make it easier for Volkswagen, Stellantis, Renault and supplier Valeo to keep selling plug-in hybrids and other combustion-engined cars after 2035.
The opposing countries want a more ambitious transition to electric cars, partly to respond to Chinese brands. BYD and Chery together accounted for 14.5% of all vehicle sales in Europe in October, according to the report. Ireland's draft sits between the Commission and the Franco-German text and adds compliance flexibilities for the 2030 car targets and the 2025 van standards.
Where Parliament stands
The European Parliament is moving on a parallel track. Its environment committee voted 48 to 30, with two abstentions, on 4 November to back a 95% cut for cars by 2035. Up to 7.5 percentage points could come from green-steel credits, so in the worst case the effective target would fall to 87.5%. For vans the committee backed a 35% cut by 2030 and 80% by 2035. The full Parliament votes in December. In the Council, a deal needs a qualified majority of at least 15 countries representing 65% of the EU population, which means France and Germany cannot impose their version alone. After both sides set positions, the Council, Parliament and Commission must agree a final text in trilogue talks.
A spokesperson for the Irish presidency said it was "committed to reaching agreement on CO2 standards for cars and vans". EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra argued in October that firm targets were the best protection for European industry.
What it means for buyers
Whatever the final number, none of the proposals would ban existing petrol or diesel cars or their resale. The choice is between a market of almost only electric cars after 2035 and one where plug-in hybrids and efficient combustion models remain on sale. The rise of brands such as BYD and Chery is now part of the argument on both sides. Further developments will be followed in the car news section.
Sources
- Just Auto: EU states oppose Franco-German car emissions pact - report (9 Nov 2026) (accessed 12 Nov 2026)
- electrive: EU Parliament: Environment Committee votes to relax CO2 rules (5 Nov 2026) (accessed 12 Nov 2026)
- electrive: France and Germany propose 90 per cent CO2 cut for new cars by 2035 (16 Oct 2026) (accessed 12 Nov 2026)
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