By Angela Dewan | CNN

Members of the European Parliament voted Wednesday to ban the sale of new combustion engine cars by 2035, in what would be one of the world’s strongest laws to phase out gasoline vehicles, if approved by the European Council.

While the measure must still be debated by the Council and passed into law, the parliamentary vote is seen as the most crucial step in the process. Full approval will likely mean a dip in sales for hybrid cars and a rapid transition to fully electric models.

The support for the measure comes after a string of rejections of other key climate policies on Wednesday.

A center-right parliamentary faction had voiced opposition to the 100% ban by 2035. Some lawmakers had called instead for a 90% ban, meaning one-tenth of all new car sales could still be combustion engines.

“I’m very relieved and happy with the outcome,” said Dutch lawmaker Jan Huitema, who led in drafting the policy.

The parliament earlier rejected three other key proposals, including its centerpiece policy to reform its carbon market.

German lawmaker Peter Liese had told journalists earlier Wednesday that his center-right EPP group did not support the 100% ban, adding that combustion vehicles could still be useful, should technology around low-carbon synthetic fuels improve over time.

“We don’t think that politicians should decide if the electric vehicles or synthetic fuels are the best choice. I personally believe that most consumers will buy an electrical car if we give them the necessary infrastructure and that’s what we need to do,” he said.

He added that it was possible combustion cars using synthetic fuels could in the future become more competitive than electric vehicles. They may also be more realistic for many developing nations in Africa and Asia — which buy European cars — particularly if those countries are unable to move to renewable energy-based economies in the next few decades, Liese said.

The Commission first announced a plan to phase out combustion engine cars in August last year. To facilitate the shift to electric cars, the Commission said it would require the 27 EU member states to expand vehicle charging capacity. Charging points will be installed every 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) on major highways, and the minimum tax rate for gasoline and diesel fuel will be hiked.

The auto industry plays a vital role in Europe’s economy, accounting for 7% of gross domestic product and supporting 14.6 million jobs in the region. But transport is the only sector where greenhouse gas emissions are rising, and road vehicles accounted for 21% of CO2 emissions in 2017.

The UK, which is no longer in the EU, announced last year that it would ban sales of new gasoline and diesel cars starting in 2030, with sales of some new hybrids continuing until 2035.

The vote in favor of the measure followed the parliament’s shock rejection of EU proposals to create a more ambitious emissions trading scheme, a carbon border tax and a social climate fund.

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Liese, the parliament’s lead negotiator on the carbon market reform, urged his colleagues to try again in the committee to find a proposal that would win support.

“All those that voted against today can think twice … please don’t kill the ETS,” he said.

Setting more ambitious targets for the scheme, which forces some of the biggest polluters to buy carbon credits, was the bloc’s centerpiece legislation in its umbrella Fit for 55 plan, a roadmap to cut emissions by 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels. The goal is one of the most ambitious climate targets of any major economy.

The EU is the world’s third-biggest polluter.