No environmental concerns: China promotes combustion engines

In many large Asian cities, the situation regarding air pollution has been dramatic for a long time. The Chinese metropolises, whose pollution levels are constantly above the limit values, are certainly among them. Yet China not only refrains from introducing environmental zones - which are slowly gaining a foothold in Asia - but continues to ignore most environmental concerns in their strategy. While it is true that China is currently considered one of the largest manufacturers of electricity-powered cars, the market for electric cars does not seem to be sufficient for the country. China wants to prove itself as a leading country in the production of all kinds of cars. In this context, the government has announced the promotion of combustion engine cars in production and research.  

First and foremost, the measure is accompanied by a financial intervention. The tax rate for vehicles with internal combustion engines with a capacity of up to two litres has been reduced from ten to five percent. Instead, no tax at all will be levied on so-called New Energy Vehicles (pure electric cars and plug-in hybrids). These tax concessions, together with the technical efforts that have been put forward, are not only intended to support electromobility, but also to secure a place for internal combustion engines in the future.  

Industry insiders speculate that the People's Republic is not only planning to serve the EU's fast-growing electric market by exporting electric vehicles. With powerful players such as Nio, XPeng and Geely, China is already the world leader in electric vehicles. In addition, the country wants to strategically fill the gap that could open up after the end of the internal combustion engine in Europe with its own diesel and petrol vehicles. In contrast to the European Union, China does not have a policy of banning fossil-fuelled engines. On the other hand, subsidies for electric cars have even been reduced, although technology and research continue to receive financial support. Battery replacement projects and fuel cell mobility continue to play an important role in China's strategy.  

The Chinese measure is therefore intended to counteract the declining sales of internal combustion engines and at the same time "correct" the attitude towards conventional engines.  For the country, the rejection of the internal combustion engine by the European Union is an opportunity to assert itself as the leading developer of modern internal combustion engines. That the decision can have potential beyond the strategic and economic aspects, however, is unfortunately doubtful.  

The realities of climate change are clear, as is the role played by CO2 and other pollutants. If the ban on internal combustion cars is to succeed well on the European side, but at the same time be hampered by China's automotive industry, it could all be for naught. Faced with the choice between an expensive electric car and a cheap and conventional vehicle with an internal combustion engine, the car buyer's decision might not be the greenest. With the immediate promotion of combustion cars, China is not only endangering the air quality of cities and the health of residents. In Europe, as well as globally, China's plan could pose a threat to all climate policy efforts in the fight against climate change.