EU plotting ban on combustion engines from 2035

Draft proposals from the European Union have confirmed that a complete ban on the sale of combustion-powered vehicles will be implemented within the region from 2035.

According to Bloomberg, which has seen early outlines of the EU's ambitious climate targets, new regulations will also force car-makers to slash emissions of cars and vans by 65 per cent by 2030 in a bid to move to net zero emissions within 14 years.

Member states will also have to play their part, according to the draft legislation, with detailed plans that will force European countries to expand their public charging networks to support the surge in electric vehicles.

As well as boosting the infrastructure, new laws will also ensure the total amount of electricity from renewable sources is ramped up from 32 per cent to 40 per cent by 2030.

Set to be officially published next month, the draft regulations governing transport emissions will be just one part of the EU plans to slash greenhouse gases by at least 55 per cent from 1990 levels.

By 2050, further measures will have been introduced governing the economy, transport and industry to ensure Europe reaches its net zero emissions target.

Originally, the car industry was told by the EU to brace itself for a 37.5 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 – far lower than the slated 65 per cent target.

Some industry commentators have suggested the new mandatory reduction will effectively kill off many combustion-powered cars by 2030, particularly smaller vehicles.

This is because the amount of emissions control equipment needed would ramp up their price tag to levels that would not be affordable for the average buyer.

Pre-empting the more radical proposals, Volkswagen has already announced 70 per cent of its new cars will be pure-electric by 2030, while rival Renault estimates 90 per cent of its range will be battery-powered.

Ford, meanwhile, has announced it entire European line-up will be electric before the end of this decade.

Helping owners switch to electric cars will be new rules that will require electric chargers to be installed every 60km on highways. Mandatory hydrogen refuelling points will also be introduced every 150km.

Once the draft legislation is introduced, the new laws will not automatically be adopted as member states are given time to lobby for changes and amendments that could see the targets watered down, although this is unlikely.

Currently passenger cars account for 12 per cent of total CO2 emissions in Europe.