At RNG Classics, we’ve always believed in the enduring magic of classic cars. They’re not just vehicles they’re history on wheels, rolling reminders of a time when driving was an experience, not just a way to get from A to B. So the news out of Europe this week feels like a small victory for common sense, and a big win for those of us who cherish combustion engines.
According to Manfred Weber, president of the European Parliament’s largest party, the EU’s proposed ban on new petrol and diesel cars is now “off the table.” Instead, manufacturers will be asked to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% from 2035, rather than hitting an unattainable 100%. Even the 2040 full-ban idea has been shelved. It’s a dramatic shift but one that finally acknowledges reality.
Let’s face it: the all electric future, as it was being pushed, simply wasn’t realistic. The UK already missed its 2024 EV target, and uptake is slowing. Most of the people who want EVs already have them. For the rest of us that didn’t buy marketing spiel and especially those without private driveways or who do longer journeys, petrol cars remain the more practical option.
It’s also worth remembering that a whole lot of cars from a whole host of ears are far from the environmental villains they’re sometimes made out to be. At RNG Classics, we preserve and maintain cars that are already built, no new mining, no battery production, no scrappage. Driven occasionally and lovingly maintained, their lifetime carbon footprint is often lower than the fast-churn cycle of modern car ownership.
Even major carmakers are beginning to shift back. Porsche, for instance, is spending billions to reintroduce petrol engines into their new Boxster after trying to go all-electric. Because electric just doesn’t suit every format—especially not light, low-slung sports cars. And they’re not alone. The EU’s new stance will help safeguard jobs, keep options open, and protect the rich diversity of automotive design and engineering.
At RNG Classics, we’ll continue doing what we’ve always done in offering beautiful classics for hire, preserving the best of motoring heritage, and keeping the experience of real driving alive for future generations. This latest news just makes us all the more confident that petrol still has a place on the road and in our hearts.
