A Volkswagen Passat R and a Golf GTI at the tower storage facility of German carmaker Volkswagen’s headquarters plant in Wolfsburg, central Germany, on March 11, 2025. Ronny Hartmann/AFP via Getty Images
The European Union’s plan to outlaw the sale of new gas and diesel cars by 2035 is facing increasing political and industry pushback, with senior figures now openly questioning and casting doubt on the measures.
The automotive industry is a cornerstone of the European economy, employing more than 13 million people and contributing around 7 percent of EU GDP, but it faces intense competition from China and the planned transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
