Spain's Sanchez Fights to Keep EU Car Emission Ban Intact

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urges the EU to maintain the 2035 ban on new CO2-emitting cars, opposing policy relaxations amid pressures from Germany and Italy. The proposal aims to safeguard jobs and promote electric vehicles, while the Commission considers softening the ban to a 90% emission reduction.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is rallying support to preserve the European Union's planned 2035 ban on new CO2-emitting cars. Concerns mount as the European Commission considers easing the policy, succumbing to pressures from member states such as Germany and Italy.

Sanchez's letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlights fears of job losses and factory closures if the policy is weakened. He argues that retaining the ban is essential for the EU's transition to electric vehicle production, cautioning that any relaxation could delay investments and reduce electric car demand.

Meanwhile, German EU lawmaker Manfred Weber has suggested that the Commission may propose a more modest 90% reduction target for CO2 emissions. This shift could affect the EU's strategy for decarbonisation and the development of the electric vehicle industry. The final decision is due next Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies.)