Greenpeace slams deal by Germany and EU over combustion engines

Frankfurt/Brussels — The EU and Germany have reached a deal on the future of combustion engines, officials said on Saturday, an issue that has been closely followed by the car industry.

The agreement, which will allow some combustion engines beyond 2035, was quickly condemned by environmental group Greenpeace.

The bloc and its largest economy had been at odds over the planned 2035 phase-out of CO₂-emitting cars, but leaders signalled in recent days that they were close to a resolution.

Germany wanted assurances that new combustion engine cars can be sold beyond the deadline if they run on e-fuels, a request supported by parts of its powerful car industry.

“We have found an agreement with Germany on the future use of e-fuels in cars,” Frans Timmermans, head of EU climate policy, said on Twitter.

German transport minister Volker Wissing said “the way is clear” with the agreement reached late on Friday. “Vehicles with internal combustion engines can still be newly registered after 2035 if they fill up exclusively with CO₂-neutral fuels,” he said on Twitter.

Sweden, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said EU diplomats will vote on Monday to formally approve the 2035 phaseout law. Energy ministers could then give the law the final sign-off needed for it to enter into force on Tuesday, at a scheduled meeting in Brussels.

Greenpeace’s Benjamin Stephan said the deal is a setback for climate protection. “This stinky compromise undermines climate protection in transport, and it harms Europe,” he said. It dilutes the needed focus of the car industry on efficient electromobility, he said.

Reuters