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# Strict vehicle emissions targets to be wound back once again
- URL: https://torquecafe.com/car-news-eu-car-emissions-target-cut-again/
- Published: 2026-10-20T23:31:28.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-20T23:31:28.000Z
- Description: The European Union is going to once more weaken its 2035 new vehicle emissions targets, having last year killed its ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
- Author: Jordan Mulach
- Tags: News, Industry

Europe’s plans to drastically cut new-vehicle emissions have taken another blow, with reports emerging that the target figures have been cut again.

[In December 2025](https://torquecafe.com/europe-ice-ban-2035-dead/), the European Commission announced it had ditched its internal combustion engine (ICE) ban for new light and passenger vehicles by 2035, instead focusing on a broader reduction of CO2 emissions.

Under its revised plan, carmakers would need to reduce their fleet emissions by 90 per cent compared to 2021 levels before the start of 2035, giving a new lease on life to hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and extended-range EVs (EREVs or REEVs), while not totally dismissing the role of EVs and fuel-cell hydrogen cars (FCEVs) to achieve the still stringent requirements.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/10/2026-porsche-911-turbo-s-3.jpg)

Almost a year on and [*Reuters*](https://www.reuters.com/business/eu-lawmakers-reach-deal-weaken-car-co2-targets-2026-10-20/?ref=torquecafe.com) reports the European Union is set to water down the targets again, this time to a 87.5 per cent reduction in emissions for cars, and 80 per cent for vans.

According to the report, a further 7.5 per cent top-up will be required by using low-carbon steel, made in the European Union.

While the plans are yet to be finalised, it is expected to be a formality.

In the more immediate future, by 2030 cars will have to reduce their CO2 emissions by 55 per cent compared to 2021 levels, and 35 per cent for vans. This 2030 target can be spread as an average from 2029 to 2031.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/10/2026-tesla-model-y-performance-2.jpg)

The new plans also give greater freedom for cars running on renewable fuels, which will be effectively counted as zero-tailpipe-emissions vehicles, while small and very efficient EVs will earn so-called ‘super credits’.

No car brands have reacted to the proposed changes yet, though it’s understood to be supported by those with manufacturing bases in the region, particularly in France and Germany.

Australia has no equivalent emissions reduction policy for vehicles, though our New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) sees carmakers penalised if they miss an annual reduction of CO2 emissions.

That hasn’t stopped the [Australian Capital Territory from going rogue](https://torquecafe.com/act-news-2035-ice-car-petrol-diesel-ban-not-changing/), announcing in 2022 it would follow the EU’s lead with a 2035 ban on new ICE vehicles – a plan which hasn’t been wound back as yet.