France, Dec. 16 -- The European Commission is expected to propose easing the European Union's effective ban on sales of new combustion-engine cars from 2035 this Tuesday, as Brussels weighs how best to balance climate ambitions with growing pressure from governments and an auto industry facing fierce global competition.

The move, still being finalised ahead of its unveiling, could see the ban pushed back by up to five years or softened indefinitely, according to EU officials and industry sources.

The 2023 law requires all new cars and vans sold in the bloc from 2035 to be CO2-emission-free.

Any revision would mark the EU's most significant rethink of its green transport policies in recent years, reflecting concerns from major member st...