By master-lamps on Skatehive
The 90% Compromise In a significant departure from the European Union’s 2023 mandate to phase out the internal combustion engine (ICE) by 2035, the European Commission has proposed a revised "90% target" for newly registered vehicles. This policy shift, leaked prematurely by European People’s Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber, formalizes a retreat from the absolute zero-emission goal, reintroducing hybrid drivetrains and range extenders into the long-term regulatory framework. While framed as a "technologically neutral" victory for industrial "stability", the move raises critical questions regarding fiduciary accountability, the stifling of EV innovation, and the technical challenge of measuring "real-world" emissions in a semi-electrified fleet. Falling regulatory "North Star" For years, the European automotive sector operated under the assumption of a 100% CO2 reduction target for '35, to force a total transition to BEVs. However, recent negotiations reached a boiling point, culminati