AUTONEWS

Germany blocks EU decision to ban internal combustion engines by 2035

Under an EU proposal, all but the smallest car makers will be banned from selling new internal combustion cars from 2035. German liberals don't think this is a good idea.

The proposal is due to be voted on by education ministers of EU member countries on March 7. In the photo, the Minister of Transport of Germany, Volker Wissing, FDP, who criticizes the proposal.

There are twelve years to go before the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, was the message from the EU. The decision to require zero carbon dioxide emissions from new car sales from 2035 has drawn a lot of criticism. Now, Germany's ruling liberal party FDP wants to block the country's yes to the proposal, reports Swedish radio.

An exception for internal combustion cars running on synthetic e-fuels has already received approval from EU bodies, but the FDP appears to want such a thing in place. The party wants to see an investigation into whether fossil fuels can be replaced with better, less climate-friendly types of fuel. Until then, they want other countries to vote no to the proposal in its current form.

– We need all alternatives, electric, hydrogen and combustion engines that run on synthetic fuels, says German Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP).

At the same time, critics claim that biofuels are not particularly climate-smart and that electric operation is significantly more efficient. German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, who belongs to the Greens, asks the FDP to change its mind and vote yes to the EU proposal.

The decision will not pass unless Germany votes yes, according to Michael Bloss of the Greens. Poland, Bulgaria and Italy are also expected to vote no, meaning the decision will not pass next week.

by: Mundoquatrorodas