European Union (EU) Parliament lawmakers on Wednesday voted to support an effective EU ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars starting in 2035, rejecting efforts to weaken the proposal to speed Europe’s shift to electric vehicles.

The vote upholds a key pillar of the European Union’s plans to cut net global warming emissions 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels – a target that requires faster emissions reductions from industry, energy and transport.

Lawmakers supported a proposal from the European Commission last year requiring a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035, which would effectively make it impossible to sell  internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles in the EU.

Proposed measures include:

– Removing the incentives for zero- and low-emission vehicles (‘ZLEV’), “as it no longer serves its original purpose”

– An annual report by the European Commission, beginning at the end of 2025, on the progress towards zero-emission road mobility covering the impact on consumers and employment, the level of renewable energy use as well as information on the market for second-hand vehicles;

– Gradually reducing the cap for eco-innovation and increasing limits on vehicle CO2 emissions in line with the proposed stricter targets:

• 7g CO2/km limit should remain until 2024
• 5g from 2025
• 4g from 2027
• 2g until the end of 2034

– A report by the Commission, by the end of 2023, detailing the need for targeted funding to ensure a balanced transition in the automotive industry, to mitigate negative employment and other economic impacts;

– A common EU methodology by the Commission, by 2023, for assessing the full lifecycle of CO2 emissions of cars and vans in the EU market, and the energy consumed by these vehicles.

Attempts by some lawmakers to weaken the target to a 90% CO2 cut by 2035 were rejected.

The ban is not yet approved. Wednesday’s vote establishes the parliament’s position for upcoming negotiations with EU countries on the final law.

“The proposal aims to contribute to the EU 2030 and 2050 climate objectives, to deliver benefits to citizens by deploying zero-emission vehicles more broadly to achieve better air quality, energy savings and lower vehicle ownership costs, as well as to stimulate innovation in zero-emission technologies”, said Jan Huitema, parliament’s lead negotiator on the policy.

Electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles made up 18% of new passenger cars sold in the EU last year, although overall car sales decreased as a result of semiconductor shorgages, accordin gto the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.