Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius is the eternal optimist, and for good reason. He has long pushed the European Union to roll back its lofty goal of phasing out new internal combustion engine cars, arguing that weakening the rules was a return to pragmatism and not capitulation to opponents of Europe’s green agenda.
Technology
Europe banned new gas cars after 2035 — now it’s reconsidering
His push is working. The rigid deadlines for phasing out combustion engines after 2035 are “no longer feasible,” Källenius told The Verge in a recent interview, given infrastructure bottlenecks and the sluggish adoption of EVs by consumers. More flexibility was needed to protect jobs and competitiveness, give consumers greater choice, and ensure manufacturers can finance the transition profitably.
“This is not a retreat,” he said in defense of loosening the 2035 deadline. “It is an upgrade to a smarter strategy that matches Europe’s ambitions with a thoughtful plan for success.”
“This is not a retreat.”
When the economy was humming and jobs were plentiful, Europeans largely backed an ambitious climate agenda. Now, with the economy limping and automakers and suppliers slashing tens of thousands of jobs, support has shifted toward slowing down the transition.
Källenius said that carmakers had proved their commitment to fighting global warming with a decade of huge investments in new technology, electric vehicles, and battery plants.
“Taking a more pragmatic approach could be a way of delivering on Europe’s climate goals more effectively,” he said. “The ultimate target of achieving CO2 neutrality in the EU by 2050 remains firmly in place. What changes is the path to get there.”
Reopening the ICE car ban
For now, it is still European law to ban the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines after 2035. To change that, the EU has to either repeal the law or to amend it and create exceptions that would allow the sale of conventional cars to continue beyond the deadline.
At their October summit, European leaders called on the Commission, the bloc’s executive body, to reopen the ICE car ban and present proposals by the end of the year to slow Europe’s once brisk march to a carbon-free future.
The Commission has said it is considering allowing more “technology neutrality,” which analysts say means possibly allowing plug-in hybrids and ICE cars that run on synthetic fuels or biofuels, which produce fewer emissions than conventional fuel. The auto industry has been demanding such a change for years, and wants the Commission to count hybrids and cars that run on synthetic fuels among zero-emission vehicles, even if they have an internal combustion engine beyond the 2035 deadline.
“Turning the EU’s most important automotive regulation into a Swiss cheese will not restore the industry’s competitiveness,” said Lucien Mathieu, cars director at the Brussels-based lobby group Transport & Environment, in a statement in October. “It is a cynical attempt to dismantle a central pillar of Europe’s climate law. If the Commission capitulates to these demands, it will only hand a further competitive advantage to Chinese automakers.”
“Turning the EU’s most important automotive regulation into a Swiss cheese will not restore the industry’s competitiveness.”
Källenius noted that even after 2035 there would still be more than 200 million conventional cars on the road. Without alternative fuels and new ICE cars to replace them they would age, risking “a ‘Havana effect’ that would cause our vehicle fleet to grow even older, harming both the climate and the economy.”
Germany is lobbying to weaken the ban and create a longer transition period. The German economy is barely growing after two years of recession. The auto industry’s troubles go back a lot further. Auto production in Germany peaked in 1998, but fell 25 percent in the wake of covid in 2020, and has declined every year since. And now German automakers face new competition from lower-cost Chinese vehicles.
The country’s political leaders are alarmed because of the nearly 800,000 jobs that the industry provides and because economic uncertainty is fueling a rise of support for right-wing populism. Against this backdrop, the government is throwing its weight behind industry demands to roll back climate goals and throw core gas-powered cars a lifeline.
“There will be no hard cut” in 2035, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged after a meeting with auto industry leaders in September.
Alternative fuels and hybrids
Slowing the shift to electric vehicles aims to give carmakers and suppliers more time to keep earning money from their most profitable models and maintain their competitive edge over rivals, including the new Chinese manufacturers that are fast making inroads into European markets.
There is a danger that slowing the transition to EVs could put the huge investments that have been made in EV charging networks and battery plants at risk, which could also lead to job losses.
“If tomorrow we abandon the 2035 objective, forget European battery factories,” French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters after the October leaders’ summit, pointing to the gigafactories now being built across the continent as a direct result of the 2035 deadline. Instead, he backed loosening the language of the law to allow alternative fuels and hybrids.
“There will be no hard cut” in 2035.
Allowing automakers to keep selling conventional cars as hybrids or with low-emission fuels is just one part of a compromise. To boost sales of economy EVs, Europeans are also working on incentives for new battery electric vehicle purchases. Manufacturers could be required to use more European-made components to be eligible for EV subsidies as a way to support jobs and push back against cheap Chinese imports.
As politicians discuss how to help automakers, the situation for the industry is increasingly dire.
The only growth in Europe’s automotive markets this year is coming from electric vehicles and hybrids, from which many automakers still struggle to earn any money because of the high costs of developing new technologies, manufacturing in Europe, and the still meager sales volumes of EVs.
Europeans bought 1.3 million battery-electric vehicles in the nine months through September, accounting for about 16 percent of total new car sales, according to ACEA, the continent’s auto lobby. But even the strong performance of electric and hybrid vehicles could not offset the steep decline of ICE cars. Overall, Europe’s new car sales grew just 0.9 percent in the first nine months.
‘We’re asking for a different regime’
For some automakers, the changes that are under discussion don’t go far enough.
BMW CEO Oliver Zipse told reporters in an earnings call that under the EU’s current law, manufacturers get no benefit from their investments in carbon-neutral components such as green steel or for building new, low-emission factories. He slammed the EU’s focus on regulating tailpipe emissions instead of the car’s total carbon footprint.
“We are not asking for the targets to be weakened. We’re asking for a different regime,” Zipse said. “We are continually reducing our CO2 footprint but it has no impact.”
Some green tech lobby groups and think tanks warn against boosting support for plug-in hybrids at the expense of full EVs.
Brussels-based Transport & Environment (T&E), a green tech lobby group, concluded in a recent study that plug-in hybrids emit nearly five times more CO2 in real world driving than shown in official tests. And even when running in electric mode, PHEVs burn more fuel than manufacturers claim because their combustion engines kick in when accelerating or driving uphill, the study concludes.
“We are continually reducing our CO2 footprint but it has no impact.”
The gap hits drivers’ wallets, too: Annual fuel and charging costs are about €500 higher than advertised. With an average sticker price of €55,700 in 2025, plug-in hybrids are also €15,200 more expensive than battery-electrics.
“Plug-in hybrids are one of the biggest cons in automotive history,” said T&E’s Mathieu.
Peter Mock, Europe managing director of the International Council on Clean Transportation, rejected the notion that plug-in hybrids are a “bridge” to electrification. He said evidence shows most drivers who switch to battery-electrics stay with them, while a large share of plug-in hybrid buyers later revert to combustion cars.
Mock pointed to Denmark, where battery-electrics account for about 70 percent of new sales, and Belgium at around 40 percent, as examples of how to accelerate adoption. The key, he said, is a mix of EU CO2 standards and national tax policies that make combustion cars more expensive while lowering costs for EVs — ideally in a self-balancing system where higher ICE taxes fund EV subsidies.
On e-fuels, Mock was blunt: They are too inefficient and costly for cars and trucks. “For road transport, electrification is by far the better option,” he said. “E-fuels are a distraction.”
‘The rest of the world will not stand still’
The EU’s climate policies of the past decade have attracted a lot of investment from pure EV manufacturers, battery manufacturers, and other suppliers along the EV supply chain. That’s why more than 200 business leaders from the industry wrote an open letter calling on the Commission to “Stand firm, don’t step back” in the face of legacy automaker lobbying.
Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Polestar, told The Verge that watering down the 2035 ban would punish companies that have already staked their future on electrification. “It undermines the basis for the investments that companies like us have made,” he said, noting that years of negotiation went into the current framework, including with legacy carmakers now seeking to backtrack.
While a delay might make EV demand less linear, Lohscheller said, “the shift will still happen and is happening, as we see in demand for our cars across most European markets.”
“Stand firm, don’t step back”
He also warned that Europe risks falling behind global competitors if it weakens its climate goals. “We would become even less competitive in the future. The rest of the world will not stand still: they will continue to develop new, better technologies, which would put even more future EU jobs in jeopardy.”
Others agree. Lawrence Hamilton, president of Lucid Motors Europe, said that reopening the debate over the EU’s 2035 combustion car ban risks confusing consumers and slowing electric vehicle adoption. “It remains a distraction in the conversation with the consumers,” he said. “If the ICE ban is rolled back, everybody believes they’ve got longer, and consumer adoption tends to be ‘not now.’ But we want people to be thinking about making the transition to EV now.”
Hamilton stressed that car replacement cycles are long — often seven years or more — which means the industry needs customers to start switching today, not years down the road. He pointed out that EVs are approaching price parity with gas cars, already deliver lower total cost of ownership in many cases, and have largely overcome concerns about range.
If Europe’s automakers want to regain competitiveness — especially against China — the answer is not to slow the shift to electric, but to double down on it and tackle their own structural weaknesses.
“They must close the battery cost gap, pivot to software and AI-driven manufacturing, and rediscover the entrepreneurial urgency their Chinese rivals live by,” said Andy Palmer, who played a key role in driving electric vehicle technology at Nissan and later was CEO of Aston Martin. “Europe still has immense engineering talent, but it’s held back by bureaucracy and legacy thinking. They need to catch up. And fast.”
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Tan and countless other DIYers are attracting millions of views showing off the personal computers they’ve built inside purses, jewelry boxes, toys, and old tech, hiding Raspberry Pi boards inside art projects.
Cyberdecks, but make it fashion
The colorful, quirky builds popping up across social media are a drastic shift away from the typical look the cyberdecks we’ve featured have had, which often consisted of a 3D-printed chassis or a rugged box like a Pelican case, usually with a cyberpunk-style design.
Inside, these homemade devices are essentially mini Linux computers for specific tasks, usually done offline, like reading, journaling, or listening to music. But now, a cyberdeck doesn’t have to look like a computer at all.
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A phone call may have opened the door to a major telecom security scare involving Charter Communications, the company behind Spectrum. Charter is one of the largest broadband and cable providers in the United States, serving more than 32 million customers across more than 40 states with internet, cable TV, mobile and phone service.
The company has confirmed a cybersecurity incident after the ransomware group ShinyHunters listed it on a leak site. Charter says the most sensitive customer information was not released. However, the hackers claim they stole millions of records, which means customers should stay alert for scams that may follow.
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TRANSUNION BECOMES LATEST VICTIM IN MAJOR WAVE OF SALESFORCE-LINKED CYBERATTACKS, 4.4M AMERICANS AFFECTED
Charter says the breach affected business customer sales tools, while hackers claim they stole a much larger set of customer records. (Charter Communications)
What happened in the Charter data breach
The incident became public after ShinyHunters added Charter to its data leak site. The ransomware group claimed it breached the company’s systems and threatened to release stolen data unless a ransom was paid.
Charter has confirmed it is aware of the situation. The company says it is following security protocols and working with authorities. CyberGuy reached out to Charter for comment. A Charter spokesperson provided this statement:
“We are aware of the situation, following our security protocols and are working with appropriate authorities. Only sales tools used to manage current, past and prospective Business customers were impacted; no CPNI or sensitive PI was released by the threat actor.”
In other words, Charter says the breach affected sales tools used for current, past and prospective business customers. The company also says hackers did not release sensitive personal information or private telecom account data. Private telecom account data can include details tied to someone’s service, account activity or communication services. For customers, the key point is this: Charter says the incident was limited. The hackers are making a much broader claim.
What ShinyHunters claims it stole from Charter
ShinyHunters claims the attack happened on April 1, 2026. The group says it used a voice phishing scam, also known as vishing, to get inside.
A vishing attack usually starts with a phone call. The attacker pretends to be someone trustworthy, often IT support, customer service or a security employee. Then the scammer tries to pressure the person into approving access, sharing a code or opening a company system.
According to ShinyHunters, the attackers obtained access to a Microsoft Entra account belonging to an employee. Microsoft Entra helps companies manage employee logins and access. From there, the group claims it accessed Charter’s Salesforce system. ShinyHunters says it pulled customer names, email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers, phone types, plan information and support ticket data.
The group also claims some private telecom account data was stolen. Charter denies that sensitive personal information or private telecom account data was released. That gap between Charter’s statement and the hackers’ claims is why customers should pay attention.
1 CLICK COST A FATHER $4 MILLION IN BITCOIN TO VISHING SCAMMERS
Phone-based phishing attacks can trick employees into giving hackers access to company systems before anyone realizes what happened. (Charter Communications)
Why the Charter breach could affect you
Even if the most sensitive information was not released, exposed contact details can still create problems. Scammers can use names, email addresses, phone numbers, addresses and service details to make fake messages feel more believable. They may pretend to be Charter, Spectrum, billing support or technical support.
A scammer might claim your account needs verification. They could warn that your service will be disconnected. They may also offer a fake refund or ask you to update your payment information. That is where customers can get caught off guard.
The scam may sound more believable if the person already knows your provider or account details. That does not mean you should panic. It does mean you should slow down before clicking, replying or sharing anything.
What companies can learn from the Charter breach
This incident also shows why companies need to take phone-based attacks seriously. Hackers no longer need to rely only on malicious emails. Sometimes, they call an employee and talk their way into a system.
Companies should train workers to verify unexpected support calls. They should also limit employee access, monitor unusual logins and use stronger sign-in protections for cloud tools.
Salesforce, Microsoft Entra and other business platforms can hold valuable customer information. That makes them attractive targets. A convincing phone call should never be enough to open the door.
10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE
Customers should watch for fake Spectrum messages, billing alerts and support calls that use breach news to sound more convincing. (Charter Communications)
Ways to stay safe after the Charter data breach
You may not control what happens inside a company’s systems, but you can control how quickly you react to suspicious calls, texts, emails and account changes.
1) Watch for fake Charter and Spectrum messages
Be careful with unexpected calls, texts or emails claiming to come from Charter or Spectrum. Do not click links in surprise messages. Instead, open the official Spectrum app or type the company’s website into your browser.
2) Do not share login codes by phone
Never give a one-time login code to someone who calls you. Scammers often ask for these codes because they are trying to break into your account. A real support agent should not need you to read that code out loud.
3) Change your Spectrum password
If you have a Spectrum account, change your password. Use a strong password that you do not use anywhere else. A password manager can help you create and save stronger passwords without having to remember each one. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.
4) Check your account details
Log in through the official Spectrum website or app. Review your email address, phone number, billing information and account settings. If anything looks strange, contact Spectrum directly through a verified number.
5) Watch for fake billing alerts
Scammers may use breach news to send fake payment warnings. They might say your card failed or that your account will be suspended. Do not pay through a link in a text or email. Go directly to your account instead.
6) Let unknown callers go to voicemail
If someone calls claiming to be from Charter or Spectrum, do not rely on caller ID. Scammers can spoof real company numbers. Let the call go to voicemail. Then call back using a number from your bill or the official website.
7) Use strong antivirus software
Install strong antivirus software on your devices. It can help detect malicious links, fake websites, malware and other online threats. That extra layer helps if you accidentally click something risky. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
8) Use a data removal service
A data removal service can help reduce how much of your personal information appears on people-search sites and data broker databases. After a breach, scammers often combine leaked information with public records. The less they can find about you online, the harder it becomes to make a scam feel personal. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.
9) Consider identity theft protection
If your personal information appears in a breach, identity theft protection can help you spot suspicious activity faster. Some services monitor the dark web, alert you to possible misuse and help with recovery steps. You can also check your credit reports and consider a credit freeze if you are worried about identity theft. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at CyberGuy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
The Charter data breach story comes down to two very different claims. Charter says the incident affected sales tools for business customers and that hackers did not release sensitive personal or private telecom account information. ShinyHunters claims it stole millions of records with customer details. Until more facts come out, the safest move is to stay alert. Check your account, avoid surprise links and be careful with anyone who calls claiming to be from Charter or Spectrum. Even basic contact information can help a scammer sound more convincing.
Should companies do more to protect your data from phone-based attacks before one employee mistake turns into a breach? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Amazon has announced a new version of its fully autonomous warehouse robot, Proteus, that will can interact using language instead of code. The expanded capabilities come as part of a growing pivot toward automation as the e-commerce giant replaces its human workers with robots.
Amazon says the AI-powered upgrade means its human employees can assign the robot tasks in the same way they’d communicate with colleagues. Previously, workers would need to use specialized software to direct the floor-level, tortoise-like systems, which are designed for heavy lifting and moving large carts throughout Amazon’s warehouses. “You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing,” says Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics.
The next generation of Proteus will also work across a much larger area than the ones currently in use, which Amazon says only operate in dock areas. “The new system can work anywhere items need to be moved,” the company says. This includes transporting containers as they arrive on site, moving them between workstations, and assisting employees across fulfillment centers and delivery sites.
The new system is currently being piloted in Amazon’s labs, but the company says it has plans to deploy it in Europe during the first half of 2027.
Proteus is part of Amazon’s broader robotics roadmap. It says it has plans to expand its touch-sensitive robot, called Vulcan, and a collaborative tote-handling system first piloted in Barcelona, to more sites across Europe in the coming year.
Amazon says it is “creating new jobs alongside these technologies” and claims to have hired hundreds of thousands of employees globally since introducing robotics into its operations. The company insists its robots are designed to support workers and streamline operations, rather than replace hundreds of thousands of workers with robots.
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