A BAN on gasoline and diesel cars is coming

The European Union (EU) has an ambitious plan ahead of it that could fundamentally change the automotive industry. From 2035, the sale of new cars with combustion engines is to be banned in the EU, which means the definitive end of petrol and diesel vehicles. This step is part of the so-called The Green Deal, which is supposed to ensure that Europe becomes the first climate-neutral continent by the middle of the century. While Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has repeatedly emphasized her commitment to this policy, discussions about alternatives are still ongoing.

One of the possible ways to keep combustion engines in the game even after 2035 is the use of synthetic fuels. These fuels could allow the continued use of existing engines while meeting strict EU environmental standards. Synthetic fuels are produced by chemical processes that often involve the use of renewable energy sources. If it is possible to achieve that the entire production and supply chain of these fuels will be climate neutral, they can be considered an ecological alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

In 2026, the EU plans to reassess the possibility of using synthetic fuels for internal combustion engines, which could change the entire framework of the legislation. This decision could mean that internal combustion engines could remain on the market, albeit in a limited form, as an environmentally acceptable choice. Support for synthetic fuels has strong political and economic motivations, especially in countries with a significant automotive industry. Politicians and leaders of the automotive industry see synthetic fuels as a way to maintain the competitiveness of the European automotive sector on a global scale. As the EU moves towards a complete ban on combustion engines, synthetic fuels represent a potential game-changing alternative. However, the future of synthetic fuels is still uncertain and will depend on technological advances, economic conditions and legal standards within the EU. Thus, the discussion about what form car transport will take in Europe after 2035 continues, with major ecological and economic interests at stake. (Co2AI)