Twenty-five mayors representing cities and regions across Europe have co-signed a letter demanding that the European Commission upholds the phase-out of new CO₂-emitting cars and vans by 2035.
At a time when a staggering 94% of urban residents are already exposed to harmful air pollution, the mayors warn that weakening the law would stall climate progress, undermine existing investment, and slow cities’ shift to zero-emission mobility.
Following the European Commission’s announcement to review the existing EU framework on CO₂ emissions for road vehicles, the mayors say keeping the 2035 target is a public-health imperative. The 2035 CO₂ ban supports cities’ ambitious action to fight this urgent threat and comply with the EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive through local action.
Cities are already proving that phasing out polluting vehicles is not only feasible but also delivers real results, manifesting in cleaner air, healthier lives, creating quality jobs, and stronger local economies.
In Brussels, deadly black carbon pollution fell by 60% due to the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). In Germany, children growing up in LEZs are prescribed 13% less asthma medication by age five. In Italy alone, transport decarbonisation could unlock 90,000 new green jobs, adding up to potentially millions across the European Union.
European mayors, represented through the C40, Eurocities, ICLEI Europe and POLIS networks, urge that maintaining the 2035 phase-out is vital to demonstrate EU leadership in climate diplomacy and empower other governments to act. Europe’s credibility and leadership on the global stage depend on keeping its commitments.
This message aligns with those shared by several representatives of the e-mobility industry and many EU member states like France and Spain, all in favour of keeping the ban with the current timeline.
In the letter, the mayors state that communities across Europe continue to suffer from the impacts of climate change and air pollution, which means the EU must not roll back on climate ambitions. They make it clear that healthier environments, job creation, strong industry, and achieving ambitious climate goals are all within reach, but to ensure these goals can be achieved, local policymakers and industry need predictability and strong ambition at the European level.
Mathias De Clercq, President of Eurocities and Mayor of Ghent, states: “Air pollution remains one of the most urgent health threats in our cities and regions. It is therefore absurd that rolling back CO₂ targets is even on the table. The EU must stay the course and maintain its ambitions, ensuring a healthier, fairer and more competitive Europe.”
Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona and Vice-President of Eurocities, says: “Rolling back the 2035 CO₂ targets would be a historic mistake. In Barcelona, we are proving that phasing out polluting vehicles works, thanks to our Low Emissions Zone: it cleans our air, creates jobs, and strengthens Europe’s energy sovereignty. Through our Climate Plan, we’re investing €1.8 billion by 2030, the largest municipal climate investment in our history, already cutting 1.1 million tons of CO₂ in five years to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as heat waves, droughts, or heavy rains. We, cities, are doing our part; we need the EU to stay the course and deliver certainty, not backtracking.”
Martin Horn, Mayor of Freiburg and President of ICLEI Europe, says: “Across Europe, cities are showing that cleaner mobility is not only possible – it’s already improving lives. Keeping the 2035 CO₂ targets gives our communities the certainty they need to invest, innovate, and grow stronger. This is our chance to lead by example, protect the health of our residents, and build a thriving zero-emission future that leaves no one behind.”
ENDS//
Notes to editors:
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- Read the letter, sent to the European Commission by 25 European mayors from cities and regions across Europe, represented through the C40, Eurocities, ICLEI Europe and POLIS networks.
- Learn more about the existing EU framework on CO₂ emissions for road vehicles.
- Eurocities wants to make cities places where everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, is able to move around safely, access quality and inclusive public services and benefit from a healthy environment. We do this by networking more than 200 larger European cities, which together represent some 150 million people across 38 countries, and by gathering evidence of how policy making impacts on people to inspire other cities and EU decision makers. Connect with us at https://eurocities.eu/ or by following our LinkedIn, Instagram, BlueSky, and YouTube accounts.
