Two in three Germans oppose EU ban on combustion engine cars from 2035

According to an opinion poll conducted for German public broadcaster ARD, two-thirds of Germans oppose the European Union’s planned ban on the sale of new cars with combustion engines from 2035. Only around a third support the move towards zero emissions. Arguments against the ban include concerns about the competitiveness of Europe’s automotive industry, the social impact of the transition to electric mobility and restrictions on freedom of choice.

According to the latest opinion poll, 67% of Germans surveyed said they consider the ban on newly registered petrol and diesel cars from 2035 to be the wrong move. A majority across the political spectrum opposed the measure, with only 28% of respondents saying the ban is the right course of action. Support for the ban among adults under 35 is relatively high at 34%, but a majority (55%) are also opposed.

The latest poll results show that opposition to the ban is growing: since the beginning of the year, it has risen by 5 percentage points. Respondents cite concerns about the affordability of electric cars, limited charging infrastructure, uncertainty about the technology and the risk of losing freedom of choice as the main reasons.

Germany’s pressure on the EU

After intense discussions in 2023, EU member states agreed that all newly registered passenger cars and light commercial vehicles must produce no direct emissions, which in practice means a ban on new vehicles with combustion engines.

Germany negotiated concessions at the last minute, allowing vehicles powered exclusively by climate-neutral synthetic fuels. However, the proposal for these concessions has not yet entered into force.

In recent weeks, the German government agreed to push the EU to further relax the deadline and allow new hybrid car registrations after 2035, citing the threat to jobs and industrial competitiveness. The government argued that any additional emissions could be offset by using sustainable materials, such as green steel, in car manufacturing.

As the EU’s largest car market and home to major automakers, Germany carries significant political weight, but it remains unclear to what extent the European Commission will take its demands into account. The Commission is due to present proposals for policy changes on 10 December.

The path to climate neutrality

The ban is part of the European Union’s efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Banning the sale of new combustion-engine vehicles is expected to make a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions from transport—a sector that accounts for a substantial share of the EU’s total emissions.

Environmental NGOs warn that weakening the ban would delay the inevitable transition to electric mobility, undermine climate goals and expose European automakers to greater competition from Chinese rivals.