The EU has decided that, from 2035, no new cars will be allowed to be sold that run on gasoline or diesel. The decision was made after long negotiations between EU states and the European Parliament. Germany had delayed confirmation of the decision in order to obtain an exemption for e-fuels. These synthetic fuels are made from electricity from renewable sources and carbon dioxide and, unlike gasoline or diesel, do not release any additional climate-damaging gases. Critics complain that e-fuels are more urgently needed in shipping and aviation.
Automotive experts such as Ferdinand Dudenhöffer cite the high cost of producing the fuels and the "scary energy balance" as arguments against such drives. The industry still has to build such cars first. Whether combustion engines will be registered in relevant numbers after 2035 is completely open. There are also residual doubts as to whether the exemptions for e-fuels can be implemented as agreed by the EU Commission and Germany.
Green politicians from the European Parliament have announced that they want to examine the compromise closely. SPD member and professor of European law, René Repasi, also questioned on Twitter whether the plan can be implemented as planned. Despite the doubts and criticism, experts see the EU's decision as a major step toward 100 percent emission-free mobility. The decision is an important step in the fight against climate change and for sustainable mobility.
