Europe Eases Combustion Engine Ban to Help Ailing Industry (3)

The European Union pulled back from an effective ban on combustion engines and offered more flexibility for carmakers in the transition to cleaner transport after months of industry pressure.

The move suggests a slower rollout of electric vehicles in Europe and aligns the region more closely with the US, where President Donald Trump is tearing up efficiency standards for cars put in place by the previous administration. Globally, automakers are struggling to make the shift profitable, with Ford Motor Co. announcing on Monday that it will take $19.5 billion in charges tied to a sweeping overhaul of its EV business. ...