In the coalition agreement, the traffic light states its approval of the European ban on combustion engines. Shortly before the vote in Brussels, the FDP suddenly makes a U-turn. For her approval, Federal Environment Minister Lemke must negotiate an exception for so-called e-fuels.
According to Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, Germany will vote for the European combustion engine end from 2035. The federal government supports the EU Commission in two places, the Greens politician explained on RBB's Inforadio: "On the one hand, after 2035 only vehicles that do not emit CO2 may be registered. That refers to the car fleet. And outside of it However, according to the system of fleet limit values, vehicles with e-fuels can also be approved after 2035." Lemke admits that this is not included in the Commission's proposal. "That's why we're asking the Commission to make that clearer." The politician also wants to fight for exceptions in areas where there are no alternative fuels. She cited fire engines, shipping and air traffic as examples.
By considering e-fuels, the federal government is making a concession to the FDP: the liberals only want to approve the end of combustion engines in the traffic light coalition if synthetic fuels remain permitted. This means that combustion engines could, at least in theory, be driven in a climate-neutral manner if the fuels are produced from green hydrogen, which is based on renewable energies. However, the technology is not yet ready for the market.
The traffic light had recorded its approval of the European combustion engine off in the coalition agreement. Just a few days ago, the FDP, led by party leader and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner, reversed and threatened to blockade. Observers in Brussels warned that other countries could join Germany's no in the vote: "It is likely that others will follow if Berlin does not vote for a ban on new cars with internal combustion engines by 2035," said an EU diplomat recently .
If the EU environment ministers cannot come to an agreement today, the end of combustion engines will not be off the table yet. However, the EU Parliament and EU states would then have to start new negotiations. If the end is confirmed from 2035, it is considered extremely unlikely that it will still be blocked.
Unlike Germany, some countries have already nationally regulated and decided to phase out combustion engines. Norway, for example, intends to stop selling vehicles with classic petrol or diesel engines from 2025. Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium recently aimed for an end to combustion engines from 2030, France wants to follow suit by 2040 at the latest. Even the huge emerging country of India wants to phase out conventional drive technology in the medium term.
For motorists, a phasing out of combustion engines from 2035 would only have consequences for new purchases: Anyone who previously bought a petrol or diesel engine can continue to drive it if the worst comes to the worst.
