{"id":17255230,"date":"2026-02-05T10:54:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T09:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/felss.com\/?post_type=blog&p=17255230"},"modified":"2026-02-09T16:19:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T15:19:28","slug":"the-combustion-engine-is-dead-long-live-the-combustion-engine","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/felss.com\/en\/blog\/the-combustion-engine-is-dead-long-live-the-combustion-engine\/","title":{"rendered":"The combustion engine is dead, long live the combustion engine!?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The discussion about the end of the internal combustion engine has been part of every industry and climate debate for years. In 2025\/2026, however, it has entered a new, contradictory phase: At the political level and in parts of the EU bureaucracy, there is a debate about postponements and adjustments to Euro 7\/2035 rules; OEMs are responding with very different strategies in the product ranges; at the same time, suppliers and engineering service providers are pushing new combustion engine concepts,  Hydrogen-compatible engines and, above all, range extenders \/ REEV solutions. The result: the combustion engine is neither dead nor untouched \u2014 it changes its role sharply. European Parliament+1<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internal combustion engine is losing its role as a universal mainstream drive system in Europe \u2014 but at the same time it is making a tactical comeback as a transitional and niche solution (range extenders, CO\u2082-neutral fuels, heavy commercial vehicles, performance niches). This dual role creates political, technical, and market-based frictions that will shape the industry in 2025\u20132027. S&P Global<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The end of a myth: The EU decision to ban internal combustion engines (2035)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the EU institutions had repeatedly debated the future regulatory regime for drive technologies in Europe in recent years, the discussion took a decisive turn in the winter of 2025: the original stipulation of a complete ban on the sale of new vehicles with combustion engines from 2035 was effectively abandoned<\/strong>\u00a0and replaced by a more flexible CO\u2082 target. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From technology bans to CO\u2082 target management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the chairman of the EPP group in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber, the European Commission is now planning\u00a0 to replace the 100% CO\u2082 reduction requirements for fleet targets from 2035<\/strong>\u00a0onwards\u00a0 with a targeted 90% reduction target<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 and thus remove a complete ban on the technology of the internal combustion engine from the legislative process. This plan still has to be confirmed in parliament, but it would mark a profound change of course compared to previous EU decisions and would mean that new combustion engines with significantly reduced emissions could continue to be registered after 2035<\/strong>. FinanzNachrichten.de<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Political classification and industrial policy implications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This step follows an intensive phase of political disputes between the EU Commission, member states and stakeholders in the automotive value chain. The starting point was a CO\u2082 regulation originally agreed as part of the “Fit for 55” initiative, which  provided for zero-emission new cars from 2035<\/strong>, which would have effectively meant an end to new registrations of vehicles with classic combustion engines. Council of the European Union<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current departure from this line is not only a political signal, but also has far-reaching implications for investment decisions, development projects and strategic roadmaps of OEMs, suppliers and energy suppliers. It reflects the existing reality: the technology programmes are heterogeneous, the fleet requirements are diversified, and the political framework is increasingly formulated in a technology-neutral way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Political decision of the EU and its consequences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What happened?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the course of 2025, a political dynamic has developed in Brussels that fundamentally calls into question the previously agreed ban on the new registration of vehicles with combustion engines from 2035<\/strong>. According to recent statements from political circles, the EU Commission is now to propose a set of rules that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n