In her State of the Union address, the President of the European Commission announced a review of the rules concerning the ban on sales of combustion engine cars from 2035. At the same time, she emphasized that the future will be electric and that Europe must be part of it. According to Polish MEPs, at a time when EU countries are spending record amounts on defense and security, climate regulations should be more flexible. “This is the best moment to change these targets,” says Dariusz Joński.
“The automotive industry is the backbone of our economy and industry. And the pride of Europe. Millions of jobs depend on it. Earlier this year, we gave the sector more flexibility in meeting its 2025 targets. And it works. We are now preparing a review of the 2035 goal, with respect for technological neutrality,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her address.
The regulations stipulate that by the mid-2030s all newly registered passenger and light commercial vehicles must be zero-emission—either electric or hydrogen-powered. The goal is to reduce CO₂ emissions from transport, which accounts for around 15% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
“I stand firmly on the ground and believe that these ideas about banning the sale of combustion cars after 2035 are unrealistic. I will appeal to the Commission President to abandon this. We can produce big, small, electric, or combustion cars, but we should not introduce bans,” Joński told Newseria.
The politician argues that Europe’s priority today must be defense spending. Poland already allocates nearly 5% of GDP to armaments, and under such conditions overly ambitious climate targets would mean excessive costs for both manufacturers and consumers.
“If we want to combine security with industry, we must react to what is happening. This is the right time to change climate goals—to care for the climate, but not impose such ambitious, unrealistic targets that come with high costs. The automotive sector—almost 200,000 jobs in Poland alone—is crucial for us, even if we don’t produce our own car brand. We must move away from bans, and that’s what the Polish delegation advocates,” Joński stresses.
He also warns about risks linked to proposed rules on recycling and reuse of components. “The proposals for new regulations, requiring designers to build cars so that components can be reused and recycled, are not bad, but the devil is in the details. The implementing acts must ensure this is done wisely, so that neither producers nor consumers bear unnecessary extra costs,” he adds.
The European car industry employs about 7 million people and is increasingly challenged by China, whose EVs are much cheaper due to state subsidies. “Consumers ultimately vote with their wallets. Even if Chinese cars are subsidized, Europeans look at price. European cars are too expensive, and many say so. That’s why I already see European companies cutting prices to compete with Chinese models,” Joński explains.
Market research confirms that price is the main barrier to EV adoption. A YouGov poll for Transport & Environment found that if small EVs priced at around €25,000 entered the market, the willingness among Poles to buy them would nearly double.
In her address, von der Leyen stressed that millions of Europeans want access to affordable EVs made in Europe, which is why the EU should invest in small, low-cost cars for both the domestic market and the rapidly growing global demand. The Commission is also working on an initiative for affordable small EVs.
“Europe should have its own E-car. E for ecological—clean, energy-efficient, and light. E for economical—affordable for people. E for European—built here in Europe, with European supply chains. We cannot allow China and others to dominate this market. Whatever happens, the future will be electric, and Europe will be part of it,” she declared.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) believes that one way to improve the situation of the sector could be swift ratification of the Mercosur agreement, which would remove tariffs on EU car exports to four South American countries. ACEA estimates that this could triple EU automotive exports by 2040.
“If we lift the 2035 bans—which are unnecessary—and if we could export not only car parts but entire cars to South America, everyone benefits, including Poles. We are responsible for a large share of component production,” notes Joński. “That’s part of the solution, but we must protect our market. I think everyone understands this now, especially Germany, which recently closed one of its most advanced EV factories near Brussels because Audi’s electric models did not sell as expected. Let’s produce hybrids and EVs, but also allow combustion cars. Ultimately, people should decide what car they want to drive.”
