Under pressure from major automakers, the European Commission has proposed easing its planned 2035 ban on new internal combustion engine cars. The move shifts from a 100% zero-emission target to a 90% CO2 reduction goal, allowing some hybrids to be sold post-2035 following intense lobbying from German and Italian industries facing fierce competition from Tesla and Chinese EV makers. While welcomed by automakers like Volkswagen as “pragmatic,” critics warn it undermines climate goals and Europe’s electric transition, risking further lag behind China in the EV race.