Nearly 200 electric vehicle industry leaders sent an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, demanding Brussels maintain its 2035 zero-emission target for new cars.
Why it matters: The letter arrives six days before the Commission unveils an automotive package that could weaken the ban under pressure from German automakers.
The Details
- Campaign groups E-Mobility Europe and ChargeUp Europe organized the letter, backed by Swedish automakers Polestar and Volvo Cars.
- The EU executive will announce an automotive package on December 16 that could ease CO2 targets and allow combustion-engine sales beyond 2035.
- German automakers and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association have pushed for the regulatory rollback.
- Signatories warned that reopening the door to plug-in hybrids and CO2-neutral fuels would “create uncertainty and slow the shift to electric vehicles.”
- The letter states: “Every delay in Europe only widens the gap with China.”
Key Players
- Pro-2035 ban: E-Mobility Europe, ChargeUp Europe, Polestar, Volvo Cars (nearly 200 total signatories)
- Against 2035 ban: German automakers, European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- Decision maker: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
- Announcement date: December 16, 2025
EVXL’s Take
This letter, reported by Reuters, confirms the battle lines we identified two weeks ago when we reported on European automakers lobbying for a 2035 reprieve. The uncomfortable reality remains unchanged: weakening the 2035 target treats the symptom, not the disease. European automakers are not struggling because of regulations. They are struggling because they fell behind Chinese competitors who launch new models in 18 months versus five years for legacy players.
While European politicians debate loosening climate rules, BYD is doubling its European dealer network to 2,000 locations by 2026 and building factories in Hungary and Turkey that will make tariffs irrelevant. The December 16 announcement will reveal whether Brussels prioritizes short-term industry relief or long-term competitiveness. Based on the pattern we have tracked all year, expect the former.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the EU’s current 2035 target? All new cars and vans sold in the EU must produce zero tailpipe CO2 emissions by 2035, effectively banning new combustion-engine vehicles.
- When will the EU announce its decision? The European Commission will unveil its automotive package on December 16, 2025.
- Who signed the letter defending the 2035 ban? Nearly 200 EV industry players including Polestar, Volvo Cars, and campaign groups E-Mobility Europe and ChargeUp Europe.
