Win for carmakers: EU drops ban on combustion engines

THE EUROPEAN UNION is set to propose softening emissions rules for new cars, scrapping an effective ban on combustion engines following months of pressure from the automotive industry.

- JOHN AINGER, EWA KRUKOWSKA & ALBERTO NARDELLI December 16

The proposal will allow carmakers to slow the rollout of electric vehicles in Europe and aligns the region more closely with the US, where President Donald Trump is tearing up efficiency standards for cars put in place by the previous administration. Globally, automakers are struggling to make the shift profitable, with Ford Motor announcing it will take $19.5 billion in charges tied to a sweeping overhaul of its EV business.