EU mulls banning new gas, diesel cars by 2035 despite divisions

European Union (EU) energy ministers have approved a ban on the production and sale of new cars using traditional fossil fuel engines by 2035. However, opposition from four ministers brought to light divisions between member states over the issue.

Italy, Bulgaria and Romania abstained from Tuesday’s vote, while Poland voted against the new measure, which aims to tackle climate change by speeding up the transition to electric vehicles, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Czech Republic also expressed its opposition to the measure, although the country’s energy minister eventually voted in favour of it.