Germany has requested that the European Union consider drafting new regulations that would allow the sale of combustion engine vehicles in Europe even after the EU’s deadline for zero-emission cars. The EU has mandated that all new vehicles must have zero emissions by 2035.
This regulation is intended to speed up Europe’s transition to electric vehicles to address global warming. However, Germany is looking for wiggle room to accommodate e-fuels or combustion engines that run on fuels created using electricity.
E-fuels: The future of combustion engines?
E-fuels are fuels produced using captured CO2 emissions. The idea behind e-fuels is that they balance out the CO2 emitted when the fuel is combusted, making the fuel overall “CO2 neutral.” Germany’s state secretary for transportation, Michael Theurer, has requested that the EU come up with a proposal on how CO2-neutral fuel-powered vehicles can be sold after 2035 if doing so is consistent with climate goals.
Theurer has stated that battery electric vehicles are the “way to go” in addressing global warming. But he also expressed a desire to see other CO2-free technologies encouraged. He believes that electric fuels and hydrogen fuel cell technology are essential, especially for heavy-duty trucks and other large vehicles.
Automakers’ cautionary statements
In Germany, major automakers like Volkswagen and BMW have issued cautionary statements about establishing deadlines to end the sale of cars powered by fossil fuels. Volkswagen has promised to start producing solely electric vehicles in Europe as of 2033.
EU Transport Commissioner Adina Valean has stated that many in the transportation industry share Germany’s concerns. Despite the fact that the vote was cast, she believes that the discussion is still open.
Germany needs time to keep up its economy
Germany is a major vehicle producer in Europe. In fact, Germany is the largest car-producing nation in Europe and the third-largest car-producing nation in the world after China and the United States. The German automotive industry is a major contributor to the country’s economy and employs hundreds of thousands of people across the country.
The industry is home to several major automakers, including Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Porsche, as well as many smaller suppliers and manufacturers.
The German automotive industry is known for its engineering expertise and quality standards. Consumers worldwide highly regard German-made cars.
German companies have been producing cars with internal combustion engines for decades. They have built their reputations on their engineering expertise in this area. However, the world shifts towards electrification and emissions reduction. So these companies are also investing heavily in electric vehicles and other alternative powertrain technologies.
Environmental policy vs combustion engines business
The EU has mandated that all new vehicles must have zero emissions by 2035 to hasten Europe’s transition to electric vehicles in order to address global warming. However, Germany is seeking flexibility to accommodate e-fuels or combustion engines that run on fuels created using captured CO2 emissions.
German automakers like Volkswagen and BMW have issued cautionary statements about setting deadlines to end the sale of cars powered by fossil fuels. Despite the vote, many in the transportation industry, according to EU Transport Commissioner Adina Valean, share Germany’s concerns. The discussion is still ongoing.