Combustion engine off from 2035: Next traffic light dispute – because of Wissing

Shortly before the formal decision to end combustion engines in the EU, Federal Transport Minister Wissing questions the agreement and German approval. The FDP politician suddenly raised demands for a yes from Germany. This causes trouble in Berlin.

According to Federal Minister of Transport Volker Wissing, a change in mobility is only possible with different technologies. For vehicles, this means for the FDP politician: “We need every technological solution. Battery-powered drives, hydrogen fuel cells, but also synthetic fuels.” This is the only way to achieve the ambitious climate protection goals and keep society mobile.

Regulation as good as decided

Wissing relies primarily on synthetic fuels, so-called e-fuels. This causes renewed conflict within the governing coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP. The background to this is the planned EU-wide end of combustion engines: new cars with combustion engines will no longer be permitted in the European Union from 2035.

It is a regulation that is as good as settled. All that is missing is a final OK from the member states. However, Germany’s transport minister may not want to agree to the planned end and is placing conditions on the EU Commission.

“The EU Commission should present a regulation that will enable internal combustion engines to be approved in Europe after 2035 if it can be proven that they can only be fueled with synthetic fuels,” Wissing demanded.

Wissing: no suggestion – no agreement

There is still no corresponding proposal, which is why Germany cannot agree to the EU plans, Wissing made clear. The Ministry of the Environment, headed by Green politician Steffi Lemke, sees things differently. That had spoken out in favor of a clear combustion engine off.

For Wissing it is clear: “If there are different views, then there is inevitably an abstention.” It’s no secret that the Greens would agree, even without the regulation on synthetic fuels. This would possibly shake an agreement at EU level.

Environment Ministry defends plans

The Ministry of the Environment defended the planned EU regulation for emission-free new cars and emphasized that both the EU Commission, a majority in the European Council and the EU Parliament are behind the regulation.

The Ministry of the Environment sees the new regulation as sensible, necessary and clever because it is a big step towards climate neutrality in the EU. There is still a lot to do, especially in the transport sector. The European process has been going on for a long time and has come a long way. All that is still missing is the last approval in the EU Council of Ministers, which is a formal act.

The Ministry also appealed to the responsibility towards the industry and the European member states. The car companies need planning security in order to maintain their international competitiveness and secure jobs. Many companies also wanted to quickly switch to e-mobility. Germany also has European responsibility, states the Ministry of the Environment.

Linke: Wissing must continue his education from car to transport minister

Approval for the attitude of the Minister of Transport comes from the CSU. State group head Alexander Dobrindt wants Wissing to advocate a change in plans at EU level – in favor of a decision that is open to technology and an opportunity for synthetic fuels.

The Left Chairwoman Janine Wissler, on the other hand, criticized the Minister of Transport. She accused him of being a blockade. Wissing must continue his education from car to transport minister, otherwise he will never be able to make the contribution his department needs to climate protection.