Premier Giorgia Meloni said Wednesday that Italy's pragmatism had prevailed after the European Commission softened its ban on new diesel and petrol cars from 2035, something Rome had been calling for to help Europe's struggling car industry.
Instead of reaching zero emissions by 2035, exhaust emissions from new vehicles will have to be cut by 90% with respect to 2021 levels.
"A balanced and pragmatic agreement has been reached that respects competitiveness," Meloni told the Lower House before this week's EU summit "It is a significant result that shows how, with its approach, Italy can correct harmful policies".
However, Italy's industrial association Confindustria expressed dissatisfaction, saying the new rules were "too little".
