The European Commission is reportedly preparing a new ban on vehicles with internal combustion engines for fleet and rental car operations. According to sources within the EU, cited by “Bild am Sonntag”, the regulation, if implemented, would prohibit rental companies like Sixt and Europcar, as well as large corporations, from purchasing vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel starting in 2030.
The reported impact is substantial, with officials in Brussels estimating that approximately 60% of new vehicle sales would be affected, leaving private customers as the remaining market. In 2023, a total of 10.6 million vehicles were sold across the European Union.
The Commission is expected to formally present the proposed regulation this summer, initiating a parliamentary process requiring approval from both the EU Council and the European Parliament. While the EU confirmed work is underway on a new framework, specific details remain undisclosed.
Concerns regarding the proposals have already been voiced. Markus Ferber, a Member of the European Parliament from the Christian Social Union (CSU), has urged Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reconsider the plan, warning that it could lead to the acquisition of electric vehicles solely to meet quotas, rather than based on genuine need or accessibility.
Industry representatives have also expressed reservations. Nico Gabriel, a board member at Sixt, described the proposed ban as unrealistic, suggesting potential consequences such as diminished rental car usage and restricted leasing options for consumers. He further emphasized a critical shortage of charging infrastructure across the EU, a factor leading to potential increases in rental car costs.
