EU Could Secretly Prohibit Gas Rentals Beginning in 2030 | Carscoops

      According to a report from German media, companies such as Sixt and Europcar may be restricted to purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) within five years.

      The report indicates that these rental agencies would only be permitted to buy EVs after 2030, as learned by Bild. Given an average rental car lifespan of two years, it’s suggested that by 2032, all rentals in Europe could primarily consist of electric vehicles.

      While European car buyers will retain the option to select either combustion or electric vehicles until 2035, when the EU’s ban on new gas-powered vehicles is set to take effect, rental customers might not have the same choices.

      The European Commission is reportedly developing plans to restrict rental companies and large corporations from acquiring internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles starting in 2030, according to German reports. Agencies like Europcar and Sixt would be allowed to replace de-fleeted cars only with electric models, according to sources cited by Bild.

      Could Renters Be Electric-Only by 2032?

      With most rental cars typically remaining in service for only one or two years, this could mean that by 2032, renters might be compelled to accept only electric vehicles, and possibly even sooner. Although rental companies do offer electric cars, they tend to be more expensive and less popular compared to combustion vehicles, and they also present higher repair costs for rental firms.

      If this proposal is enacted into law and applies to major corporations as well, it could accelerate the EU's 2035 ban on combustion engines. Rental companies account for roughly 20% of all new car registrations in Europe, while fleet sales as a whole represent around 60%.

      This could lead to a significant reduction in new combustion car sales after 2030, subsequently limiting the availability of used combustion vehicles in the following years. It is likely that automakers would streamline their ICE offerings before 2035, as it may become unfeasible to maintain a wide range of models without the substantial volume of fleet orders to justify production costs.

      This scenario could also negatively impact automotive workers, facing a future with fewer job opportunities.

      Commission Withholds Specifics

      Although the EU has confirmed to Bild’s reporters that it is crafting new regulations regarding car sales within the bloc, it has not disclosed specific details to corroborate the reported 2030 deadline for ICE fleet purchases.