France is resisting the European Union effectively phasing out combustion-engine car sales by 2035, advocating for a more lenient target for the end of the decade and a longer leash for plug-in hybrid models. The French government backs a target to reduce emissions from cars 55% by 2030 and for hybrids to remain on the market for longer, an official in President Emmanuel Macron’s office said Monday. Bloomberg News reported last week that the European Commission plans to require emissions to fall by 65% from 2030 and drop to zero from 2035. The official, who asked not to be identified per government policy, commented after Macron met with top executives at auto companies including Stellantis NV and Renault SA , as well as labor representatives to discuss the transition to electric vehicles. The country will also consider fresh support for the industry to help it adopt new technology, the […]