EU decides to switch off far-reaching combustion engine

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After a long back and forth, the compromise is there: on Tuesday, the EU countries agreed on a far-reaching end to cars with combustion engines. These may no longer be sold from 2035. The only exception are cars that run on climate-friendly synthetic fuels.

The decision was previously blocked by Germany for weeks. In fact, negotiators from the EU countries and the European Parliament had already reached agreement on the project at the end of October. However, in an unusual procedure, the federal government made additional demands and thus delayed the confirmation of the negotiation result by several weeks. The FDP in particular has campaigned for so-called e-fuels.

E-fuels can be produced with renewable electricity from water and carbon dioxide from the air. Unlike petrol or diesel, they do not emit any extra climate-damaging gases. Critics complain, among other things, that they are more urgently needed in shipping and aviation.

“The way is clear for 100 percent emission-free mobility,” said Austrian Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler on Tuesday before a meeting of EU ministers responsible for energy. She is happy that the blockage has been resolved. “I regret that it took a loophole to bring in procrastinators.” The federal government reached an agreement with the European Commission on Friday evening on the compromise on the use of e-fuels.

Doubts about exact implementation

However, whether a relevant number of internal combustion engines will be approved after 2035 is completely open. Automotive expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer cites the fuel’s high production costs and “uncanny energy balance” as arguments against such drives – an extremely large amount of electricity is consumed during production. The industry has yet to build such cars.

There are also remaining doubts whether the e-fuel exemptions can be implemented as agreed by the European Commission and Germany. Electric fuel cars will also be included in EU legislation by means of a so-called delegated act. It is issued by the EU Commission, but the EU Parliament and EU states have two months to object.

The SPD MP and professor of European law, René Repasi, has already wondered on Twitter whether the project can be carried out as planned. Green politicians from the European Parliament have also indicated that they want to take a good look at the compromise. (zis/SDA)

Source: Blick