The decision has actually already been made: From 2035 onwards, newly registered vehicles will not be allowed to emit CO2 emissions. This equates to a ban on combustion engines (petrol, diesel). But what do the people of Europe think about a ban on combustion engines? This question was posed in a representative survey by AutoScout24, the online market place for new cars, used cars and electric cars, and norstat was commissioned to carry out a survey in six EU countries. The result is clear: In many EU countries, the majority of people are against a ban on combustion engines from 2035 onwards or are in favour of postponing its introduction.
A total of 6133 people between the ages of 18 and 64 were surveyed between 19 December 2024 and 13 January 2025. These are distributed as follows: 1024 people from Germany, 1030 people from Austria, 1010 people from Belgium, 1030 people from the Netherlands, 1023 people from Italy and 1016 people from France.
A look at the opinions in Germany
In Germany, the ban on combustion engines is not a popular prospect. 34 percent of Germans want to cancel the ban completely, with a further 20 percent in favour of at least postponing it. A further four percent are even demanding a complete ban on electric vehicles. In total, 58 percent of Germans are therefore against the ban on combustion engines in its current form. By contrast, just 34 percent support the plan. This figure is divided into 24 percent, who would like to retain the current implementation. A further ten percent is even hoping for an earlier implementation.
Opinions in Europe
The ban on combustion engines is also contentious in Austria. 61 percent of those surveyed are critical of the ban, while just 31 percent voted in favour. There is a similar picture in France: 55 percent of those surveyed want the ban to be cancelled, postponed or even want to see a complete electric car ban. In Italy, the figure is 52 percent and 48 percent in Belgium. Only in the Netherlands is the situation more balanced, with no clear majority for or against the ban. Here, 45 percent are in favour and 45 percent are against.
Age of the survey participants and rejection of the combustion ban
The older the people surveyed, the more opposed they are to a ban on combustion engines. In Germany, a total of 51 percent of the 55 years and older age group wants to see the ban on combustion engines scrapped, and 18 percent would like the measure to be postponed. An opposing picture can be seen in the 18 to 24 age group. In this group, 44 percent want to see a ban on combustion engine approvals by 2035 at the latest and just 41 percent are against the measure.
Willingness to buy electric vehicles
At the time of the survey, 28 percent of Germans believe they are less likely to purchase a new electric car than they were 12 months ago. So willingness to buy has dropped. For 56 percent of those surveyed, willingness to buy has remained the same and just 16 percent say that their willingness to buy a new electric car has increased. A similar picture can be seen in the willingness to buy a used electric car. Here, 13 percent indicate that their willingness to buy a used electric car has increased, 35 percent state that their willingness to buy has fallen and 52 percent indicate that their willingness to buy has remained the same. More and more citizens are also questioning the improved climate footprint of electric vehicles, which could also explain the reduced willingness to buy.