Context
Germany’s transport minister threatened that the government would abstain from an EU vote to end the sale of new combustion-engined cars and vans from 2035. The EU governments and European Parliament reached agreement on the 2035 deadline last year after Germany’s Free Democratic Party said it was It would support the law.
A final vote by ministers on the deal was scheduled for Tuesday (March 7) and was expected to be a formality. But it was postponed without setting a new date for a vote by the European Council. If the FDP’s threat to abstain from voting is carried out, it would mean blocking a key part of the European Green Deal – the EU’s plan to become climate neutral in 2050. Cars are responsible for 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. Phasing out internal combustion cars and vans in the EU in 2035 would save nearly 2 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions by 2050, analysis by the green group Transport and Environment (T&E) showed.
comment
Julia Poleskanova, Senior Director of Vehicles and Mobility at T&E, said: “The FDP is turning the process of phasing out the European engine into a battle for the soul of Germany’s ruling coalition. By blocking the world’s most progressive climate legislation, the Liberals risk not only the collapse of the coalition, but Germany’s credibility on the world stage.”
“The FDP’s cry for e-fuel is about scoring domestic political points after a series of electoral defeats. Endorsing the internal combustion engine may play into their base, but it would give an advantage to the US and China, which threaten to overtake Europe with huge investments in electric cars and batteries.” .
“The self-proclaimed climate chancellor must now make clear that Germany is a reliable international partner. If the combustion engine phase-out regime is abolished, the failure of EU climate policy will be forever linked to Olaf Scholz. The chancellor already endorsed the agreement in November When concessions were made to Germany, not only the most important law to address transport emissions was at stake, but also Germany’s reputation in Europe and the world.
Is e-fuel for cars a good idea?
Synthetic fuels are a less environmentally friendly solution for cars than battery electric cars. A pure e-fuel car will emit significantly more carbon dioxide during its life cycle than an electric car, a Life cycle analysis Offers.Powering cars on e-fuel will not alleviate air pollution problems. In independent testsE-fueled cars emit as much toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) as fossil fuel engines.E-fuel production is expensive. Running a car on e-fuel for five years will cost the driver Another 10,000 euros From operating a battery-powered electric car. Powering cars on e-fuel consumes much more energy than running electric cars: an electric Volkswagen ID.3 travels five times further with the same amount of renewable energy than an e-fuel Volkswagen Golf, T&E analysis is found. The BMW i4 can travel six times longer than a BMW 4 Series with a combustion engine.Industry analysis shows that e-fuel volume is expected to be available in 2035 It will only feed five million cars Of the projected EU fleet of 287 million. Even the industry does not trust e-fuel as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.Automotive industry leaders have already rejected the future use of e-fuel in cars. Quoted by Volkswagen Group CEO, Oliver Blume Der Spiegel Excluding any significant role for e-fuel in road transportation.
