Combustion engine phase-out cancelled?
This Tuesday, 07 March 2023, was supposed to be the day: The EU wanted to put an end to the combustion engine once and for all. But the signing of its decision has to be postponed. Some EU states do not want to participate. Fearing that the vote would be negative, the decision was postponed for the time being.
Italy, Bulgaria and Poland say no to the end of the internal combustion engine. And now also Germany. Transport Minister Wissing (FDP) insists on keeping European commitments to the further development of e-fuels: He therefore expects a proposal from the EU Commission on how climate-neutral synthetic fuels can be sensibly used in internal combustion engines even after 2035.
The planned rules stipulate that only so-called zero-emission passenger cars will be registered after that date. These are cars that produce no exhaust gases while driving and are therefore also referred to as "locally emission-free". But if e-fuels are produced in a climate-neutral way, they will also emit no more CO2 emissions during the journey than electric cars. In addition, the existing filling station infrastructure for the 46 million internal combustion vehicles currently in Germany could continue to be used and numerous charging points would not have to be built.
The car manufacturers, on the other hand, have long since made up their minds and expect politicians to make a decision on phasing out the internal combustion engine so that they can plan for the long term and concentrate on one type of drive. Many manufacturers do not consider the use of e-fuels, as called for by the FDP, to be expedient. E-fuels are considerably less efficient to produce and therefore much more expensive. However, they would be a good alternative for forms of mobility such as aircraft or ships, where the required electric range cannot be guaranteed in any other way. In the meantime, most European car manufacturers have already adapted to e-drives on their own initiative and only produce them. Many countries in Europe have also complied with the ban on internal combustion engines and have adapted their environmental zones accordingly and are introducing zero-emission zones - only electric and hydrogen vehicles will then be allowed to enter these zones.
Without Germany's approval, the final vote, which is actually considered a formality, cannot take place, as a majority is required for votes in the EU Council - at least 15 countries representing at least 65 percent of the EU population must approve a regulation.
A date for the next EU vote has not yet been decided. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen now wants to convince the German transport minister. With Germany's vote, a ban on internal combustion vehicles could still come about.