“It must come to an end”
Habeck sees damage to Germany in the combustion engine debate
03/21/2023 3:58 p.m
Economics Minister Habeck is pushing for a quick solution in the deadlock over the end of combustion engines in the EU. The climate protection package is now in danger, he says. Indirectly, he demands movement from the FDP. Berlin’s attitude is perceived as a blockade. The EU Commission is also responsible.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck sees damage for Germany because of the dispute with the EU Commission about an end to new cars with internal combustion engines. The Green politician pushed for a quick agreement. It was “highest level” that there was a deal, “otherwise everything would fall apart,” he said at a closed meeting of the parliamentary group in Weimar, referring to a large climate protection package from the EU.
“It’s also damaging Germany now,” said Habeck, referring to the dispute over the end of combustion engines from 2035. “We’re losing debates, we’re not getting enough support for our projects.” He made it clear that the German position on the end of combustion engines was perceived as a blockade at EU level. “At the moment, German politics and the representation of interests in Germany are being damaged. And it can’t be long before this situation continues. It has to come to an end now.” Habeck said at the same time that the FDP had a point. The Commission failed to keep a promise. That is the position of the entire federal government. “I don’t think it’s that hard to redeem if you want to redeem it.”
Wissing grumbles about a compromise
Negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU states had already agreed in autumn that only emission-free new cars may be registered in the EU from 2035. A confirmation by the EU states that was scheduled for last week was canceled due to additional demands from Germany. In particular, the FDP is urging that new cars with combustion engines that use artificial fuels produced with green electricity, so-called e-fuels, can still be registered after 2035. The EU Commission must fulfill a commitment to make a proposal.
In the meantime, the EU Commission has approached the Federal Ministry of Transport. The Commission wants to continue to allow cars with combustion engines, provided they can only be refueled with so-called e-fuels, as a regulation proposal shows. The prerequisite should be that, from a purely technical point of view, the new vehicle category can only be operated with synthetic fuels generated with the help of electricity. According to the draft, the cars should be able to recognize when they have filled up with petrol or diesel and then switch off automatically. Such a type class could then also be re-registered after 2035.
The Ministry of Transport said it was in close contact with the EU Commission. According to government circles, Transport Minister Volker Wissing does not want to completely reject the Commission’s proposal. However, he does not consider it to be sufficient in this form, government officials said.