Is the resolution of the conflict related to the combustion engine closed? The EU approached the FDP-led Ministry of Transport with a proposal. However, this should show some enthusiasm.
In the dispute over the end of internal combustion engines from 2035, the EU Commission appealed to the Federal Ministry of Transport. The Commission wants to continue to allow vehicles with internal combustion engines only provided they can be filled with so-called e-fuels, as can be seen from a regulatory proposal from Brussels authorities presented by Reuters and dpa on Tuesday.
FDP: The idea is a good step but not enough yet
The prerequisite must be that, from a purely technical point of view, the new vehicle category can only be run on synthetic fuels produced with the aid of electricity. According to the blueprint, cars should be able to detect when they are filled with petrol or diesel and then automatically shut down. Such a type class can also be re-registered after 2035.
Unlike traditional fuels, e-fuels are made up of renewable energies, water and CO2. But there are also disadvantages: production is expensive and energy-intensive. More about e-fuels in the video:
The Ministry of Transport said it is in close contact with the EU Commission. “We’re interested in a quick clarification, but it should be flexible and binding.” You check this “just carefully”. FDP said the proposal was a good first step, but not enough. We want to keep working on the solution.
Media reports: Wissing has already rejected EU proposal
The point of contention is that, according to government circles, the auto industry will have to develop massively new engines to be run on e-fuels alone. “Spiegel” reported that the minister had already rejected the EU Commission’s proposal.
“There is a concern in the FDP-led section of federal government that the EU Commission will eventually screw it up a bit with a proposal that is not legally waterproof,” ZDF correspondent Florian Neuhann said.
But Neuhann said Berlin and Brussels “have a common interest in resolving the dispute before Thursday’s EU summit” because that’s where the entire EU climate protection package can be “re-discussed and reopened”.
In fact, negotiators in the European Parliament and EU countries agreed that from autumn 2035, only new zero-emission cars will be allowed to be registered in the EU. The ratification of the agreement, which was planned for the beginning of March, by EU countries was canceled due to additional requests from Germany.
Source: ZDF
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