Now, suddenly, seven European countries are opposing the ban on petrol cars

Germany withdrew its support for Europe’s petrol car ban at the very last minute. And now our eastern neighbors appear to be working with six other EU member states on a counter-proposal.

We know that there is opposition to the ban on petrol cars in Germany and Italy, but apparently they have nothing to do with it in Eastern Europe either. Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are also against it.

From 2035 European ban on petrol cars

The EU wants to ban the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035 and that has to change, says Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing.

Exception for cars with synthetic e-fuel

In his opinion, an exception should be made for fuel cars that run on e-fuel, synthetic petrol or diesel, which would be CO2-neutral.

“A ban on the internal combustion engine, which can be used in a climate-neutral manner, does not seem the right approach to us,” says Wissing. He forgets to add that this was not always the German position.

Germany’s sudden turn provokes irritation

The European Parliament expressed its support for the ban on fuel cars in October. Last week only the member states had to agree. Usually this is a formality. But then suddenly it was Germany’s turn.

There is a lot of trouble in Brussels about this. It’s rare for a country to change its mind so late. Member states were due to sign the law last week. Usually this is a formality.

Italy worried about Ferrari and Lamborghini

Incidentally, the resistance of Germany and Italy does not come as a complete surprise. Both have important auto industries, with Italy being particularly concerned about Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani.

The development of the e-fuels that Germany is talking about is still in its infancy. Synthetic fuel is expensive and not yet produced in large quantities. Large amounts of electricity are required to produce e-fuel.