Berlin – A compromise brokered within Germany’s governing coalition will likely lead to a softening of the European Union’s planned 2035 ban on new combustion engine vehicle registrations, CDU leader Friedrich Merz announced this evening. The agreement, reached ahead of a scheduled coalition committee meeting, paves the way for continued approval of vehicles powered by synthetic, climate-neutral fuels – so-called e-fuels.
The shift marks a notable concession after months of internal debate and pressure from within the CDU and from state leaders who argued for adaptability in the face of evolving fuel technologies. The move impacts the automotive industry, consumers, and the EU’s broader climate goals, perhaps reshaping the transition to electric vehicles.Merz indicated he would formally communicate the coalition’s position to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel.
Speaking to automotive industry representatives in Stuttgart, Merz stated the coalition would not revert to the position adopted at the Prime Minister’s Conference in late September, which specifically called for the continued approval of combustion engines compatible with e-fuels. He emphasized the need to avoid pre-empting ongoing coalition discussions but signaled a clear direction.
The decision follows staunch opposition to any weakening of the 2035 ban from Federal surroundings minister steffi Schneider (SPD), who has repeatedly affirmed that reversing course is “out of the question,” according to a recent Deutschlandfunk interview.
The coalition committee convened this evening to finalize the details of the agreement,which will then be presented to the EU as Germany’s official stance. The outcome could influence the broader EU debate on the future of combustion engines and the role of alternative fuels in achieving climate neutrality.
