EU Delays Landmark Ban on New Gas and Diesel Cars

The European Union is proposing to weaken its own landmark law banning new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. This move follows intense pressure from major car manufacturers. In 2023, the EU passed the ban as a major global climate policy. It was seen as a decisive shift away from the traditional combustion engine for the bloc's auto industry. Now, the European Commission wants to allow some new CO2-emitting cars to be sold after the 2035 deadline. The Commission says this "lifeline" helps carmakers struggling with trade disputes and competition from China. Critics argue that delaying the transition to electric vehicles creates future problems and undermines the EU's climate leadership.