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End of Internal Combustion Engine Cars in 2035: What the European Law Actually Says
May 19, 2026
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End of internal combustion engine cars in 2035: what’s ending, what’s continuing, and what it means for you
The 2035 deadline is generating a lot of buzz, often causing anxiety. Whether you drive a gas, diesel, or electric car, one question keeps coming up: will I still be able to drive my car after 2035? The reality is much less drastic than the headlines suggest. Here’s what the European regulation actually entails, what will change for you, and why switching to electric now remains the most rational decision.
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What does the European regulation on the end of internal combustion engine cars really say?
Adopted on March 28, 2023, and effective as of April 2023, Regulation (EU) 2023/851 sets a clear goal: as of January 1, 2035, manufacturers will no longer be able to sell new passenger cars or new light commercial vehicles in Europe that emit CO2 from the exhaust. In practical terms, this means the end of sales of new gasoline, diesel, conventional hybrid, and plug-in hybrid internal combustion engine vehicles.
What the regulation does not say—and this is crucial—is that it does not ban driving internal combustion engine vehicles after 2035. Your current car, or one you purchase by 2034, will be able to continue on the road as long as it passes its annual inspection and complies with local regulations (insurance, Crit’Air, Low-Emission Zones). In other words, 2035 marks the end of new sales, not the scrapping of the existing fleet.
Furthermore, the regulation applies only to light-duty vehicles. Heavy-duty vehicles, buses, and two-wheelers are covered by other European regulations, with more gradual timelines. Source: European Parliament, Regulation (EU) 2023/851.
2026 review clause and e-fuels exception: ongoing flexibility
Regulation 2023/851 included a review clause from the outset, allowing the European Commission to reassess the trajectory in 2026. This clause has just been activated: in late 2025, the Commission confirmed that it would reopen the file, and in March 2026, it presented an industrial acceleration package for the automotive sector. The 2035 text remains in effect, but several options are on the table: maintaining plug-in hybrids beyond 2035, local content criteria, and expanded recognition of decarbonized fuels.
Meanwhile, as of March 2023, a compromise was reached under pressure from Germany to allow the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles after 2035, provided they run exclusively on synthetic fuels, or e-fuels. These fuels are made from hydrogen and CO2 captured from the atmosphere: their carbon footprint can be nearly neutral if the electricity used is renewable.
In practice, e-fuels will remain a niche market. Current production costs remain very high: at Porsche’s Haru Oni pilot plant in Chile, costs are reported to be several dozen euros per liter, with an industrial target of around €2 per liter by the time of large-scale production. ICCT projections put the price of a 50-liter tank at around €140 in 2030. E-fuels will therefore mainly be an option for classic cars and high-end sports cars, not the everyday family car.
Will we still be able to drive internal combustion engine cars after 2035?
Yes, unequivocally. If you buy a gasoline or diesel car in 2030, you will be able to use it until the end of its technical life, potentially until 2045 or 2050. What you will no longer be able to do is buy such a vehicle new from your dealer starting in 2035.
There is, however, a nuance regarding the local framework. The simplification law adopted by Parliament on April 15, 2026, formalizes the elimination of Low-Emission Zones (LEZs) throughout the country. The measure remains pending a possible review by the Constitutional Council (the provision may be deemed a legislative rider), but the political trajectory is now clearly moving toward relaxation rather than tightening. In practical terms, your old diesel vehicle will be able to continue driving in both urban and rural areas for years to come, without the threat of a gradual ban from city centers as originally planned.
Furthermore, the cost of owning a combustion-engine vehicle after 2035 is likely to rise: more expensive parts, eroding resale value, and fuel prices subject to climate policies. Driving a combustion-engine vehicle will remain possible, but it will become more of a lifestyle choice than an economic one.
Used Car Market: An Ecosystem That Keeps Turning
This is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding 2035. The used car market is not affected by the European regulation. On January 2, 2035, private individuals, dealers, and dealerships will continue to sell and buy used internal combustion engine vehicles. The ban applies to the sale of new vehicles, not to resale.
In the medium term, two trends will emerge. On one hand, an aging fleet of internal combustion engine vehicles whose residual value will decline as the new vehicle supply shifts to 100% electric. On the other, an exploding used electric vehicle market: by 2025, new EVs had surpassed a 20% market share in France, and by the first quarter of 2026, electric vehicles accounted for 28% of new registrations. In three to five years, finding a used electric city car priced between €10,000 and €20,000 will have become commonplace.
For the patient buyer, this is excellent news. For sellers of a recent internal combustion engine vehicle in 2030–2033, it’s best not to wait too long: the closer we get to 2035, the faster the depreciation accelerates.
Why you shouldn’t wait until 2035 to switch to electric
Waiting until 2034 to buy your last new internal combustion engine car is probably the worst possible strategy: you’d miss out on a decade of savings and convenience.
First factor: total cost of ownership (TCO). Over 4 years and 60,000 km, a compact electric vehicle already costs less to operate than a comparable internal combustion engine vehicle, thanks to cheaper energy, maintenance costs cut by half to a third, and favorable tax policies.
Second factor: access to city centers and restricted zones. Even after the announced phase-out of Low-Emission Zones (LEZs) in April 2026, some local authorities may maintain local measures (reserved lanes, preferential parking, dedicated parking lots). The 100% electric vehicle remains classified as a zero-emission Crit’Air vehicle and retains priority access to these measures, both today and in the future. This is a decisive factor if you live or work in a dense urban area.
Third factor: driving comfort. Quiet cabin, smooth acceleration, no vibrations, one-pedal driving in the city. User feedback is consistent: once you switch to an EV, it’s extremely rare to want to go back.
The network is already ready for the post-2035 era
It’s time to put the fear of breaking down to rest. By the end of December 2025, Avere-France had recorded 185,501 charging points open to the public in France, a 20% increase year-over-year. By the end of January 2026, the 189,943-point mark was surpassed, and by the end of February 2026, more than 190,800 points were operational. To view the network in real time, the map of Electra stations is updated continuously.
On major highways, fast charging has reached a new level. Electra fast-charging stations deliver up to 400 kW per charging point, allowing drivers to regain several hundred kilometers of range in about twenty minutes. Our stations are located at city entrances and near major highways, in France and seven other European countries. For a trip from Paris to Marseille or Lyon to Bordeaux, charging fits right into a lunch break without extending the journey.
In other words, 2035 is not a technological horizon: it is already a reality in 2026. The latest generation of EVs boasts a WLTP range of between 400 and 600 km and charges at over 200 kW at fast-charging stations. The “network isn’t ready” argument belongs to 2018, not 2026.
Charging on the Electra network: the new Electra+ offers
Our network includes over 4,000 ultra-fast charging points across 644 stations in 10 European countries. We are the leader in ultra-fast charging in Belgium, the second-largest operator in France, and were voted Europe’s most reliable network by Chargemap. If you frequently charge at our Electra fast-charging stations, two no-commitment plans can lower your cost per kilowatt-hour:
Electra+ Essential: €1.99/month with no commitment, a €0.10/kWh discount on every charge at the Electra network.
Electra+ Smart: €4.99/month with no commitment, a €0.20/kWh discount on every charge on the Electra network.
Rates and discounts are the same in all countries where we operate. You can view the details of Electra charging rates on our dedicated page.
Frequently Asked Questions About the End of Internal Combustion Engine Cars in 2035
Will I still be able to drive my gasoline or diesel car after 2035?
Yes. European Regulation 2023/851 bans the sale of new internal combustion engine cars starting January 1, 2035, but it does not ban the operation of vehicles already on the road. You will be able to continue driving, insuring, and reselling your current car as long as it passes its vehicle inspection and complies with local regulations, particularly Low Emission Zones (LEZs).
The used internal combustion engine car market will therefore persist long after 2035. Cars already registered by individuals or companies (gasoline, diesel, hybrids) will be able to continue driving, be resold, receive maintenance services, and have access to replacement parts. Automotive groups such as BMW, Renault, Stellantis, and Volkswagen have announced that they will continue to supply spare parts for at least fifteen years after the end of combustion engine production. Over time, however, industrial capacity dedicated to gasoline and diesel engines will gradually be reserved for remaining uses, and maintenance costs could rise as the transition accelerates. To compare the two worlds, read our feature on electric cars versus combustion-engine cars.
No, the used car market is not affected by the 2035 regulation. The ban applies only to new cars. Resale between private individuals or through dealers will continue. The residual value of recent internal combustion engine vehicles is expected to decline, however, as the shift toward electric vehicles accelerates.
Will e-fuels really save combustion-engine cars?
No. The e-fuels exemption, secured by Germany in March 2023, theoretically allows the sale after 2035 of new internal combustion engine cars running exclusively on synthetic fuels. But with a current production cost of around €10 per liter and an expected pump price of between €2.80 and €5 per liter in the medium term, e-fuels will remain a niche market reserved for classic cars and high-end sports cars.
Will the 2026 review clause lead to the cancellation of the 2035 deadline?
Unlikely. In April 2026, the European Commission reignited discussions as part of an industrial acceleration package, but the options discussed (maintaining certain plug-in hybrids, local content criteria, expanding to carbon-free fuels) aim more to adjust the trajectory than to eliminate the target. The fundamental shift toward electric mobility remains confirmed.
Should you buy an electric vehicle right now?
If you plan to replace your car within the next three to five years, the answer is clearly yes, for three reasons: favorable TCO today, guaranteed access to local preferential measures (parking lots, dedicated lanes) and reduced-rate parking in certain cities, and a fast-charging network that is now mature. If your current car is still running well, there’s no need to replace it right away: sales of new internal combustion engine vehicles will end in 2035, but existing vehicles will still be allowed on the road.
Several recent studies (Avere-France, ACEA, McKinsey) confirm that the adoption rate of electric vehicles will continue to rise over the next few years in France as well as in Europe. For those who are still hesitating, programs such as low-interest loans, social leasing, or partial reimbursement for a home charging station offer tailored support. Before making a purchase, check your eligibility for current incentives (the eco-bonus reserved for the most environmentally friendly models, local incentives, and regional tax exemptions in certain areas). The European political commitment remains clear: to make low-carbon mobility accessible to all by 2035, without penalizing those who will still be driving internal combustion engine vehicles until then.
Key Takeaways
By 2035, it is the sale of new internal combustion engine cars and light commercial vehicles that will cease in Europe, not the operation of existing vehicles or the used car market. The e-fuels exception will remain a costly niche, and the 2026 review clause aims to adjust the trajectory, not to eliminate it. The real issue isn’t 2035—it’s 2026: stricter Low Emission Zones (LEZs), a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) already favoring electric vehicles, and a mature network of charging stations. Switching to an EV when you next replace your vehicle puts you on the path to more economical mobility that’s compatible with the cities of tomorrow.
To find Electra stations near you, download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Use the code PLUS2 to get your first monthof Electra+ free.
Written by Nicolas, Electra mobility expert
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