Germany rejects EU plan to ban gasoline cars by 2035

According to foreign media reports, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said the German government will not agree to the European Union's plan to ban the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035.

In order to reduce planet-warming emissions levels by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, the European Commission proposes to cut carbon dioxide emissions from new cars by 100% by 2035.This means that internal combustion engine cars will no longer be available for sale from then on.European Parliament lawmakers backed the proposals this month ahead of negotiations with EU countries on final legislation.

Image source: Volkswagen

Lindner told an event hosted by the German BDI industry association on June 21 that consumer demand for combustion-engine vehicles would continue, so the ban was wrong, and that the German government would not agree to the EU legislation.Lindner, who is also the head of the pro-business Liberal Democrats, said: "Germany will not agree to the decision to ban the internal combustion engine." But he also said that despite this, Germany will still bea leading market forelectric vehicles .

The opposition from Germany echoes divisions within the European car lobby, known as ACEA.Stellantis, one of the group's largest members, opted out days after the parliamentary vote, and Stellantis chief Carlos Tavares has been criticizing regulators for forcing carmakers toelectrifytoo quickly .

Lindner also said he had no objection to extending the life of Germany's remaining three nuclear power plants, which were supposed to be out of service by the end of the year.He said he himself was "open" to the question of whether Germany should "use nuclear energy as a transitional fuel"."In an emergency, the most important thing is to ensure energy supply," he added.