After the lifting of the German blockade, the 27 EU countries approved the end of thermal engines from 2035. Future synthetic fuels are exempt.
By NJ with AFP
© MARIE MAGNIN / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP
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C’is soon the end of heat engines on the market. On Monday March 27, 2023, ambassadors from the 27 countries of the European Union approved the end of petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles in favor of all-electric vehicles, with Germany lifting its blockage in exchange for exemptions for future synthetic fuels . The text, one of the pillars of the European climate plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, aims to ban new cars from emitting CO2.
On Tuesday, during a meeting of energy ministers, the text will be “put on the agenda” for formal adoption, announced the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Synthetic fuels divide
This announcement comes after Germany’s reversal on the issue. In mid-February, Berlin had blocked the text at the last moment, despite the approval by MEPs gathered in plenary and after a green light from the Member States, including Germany. To justify its about-face, the country had demanded that the Commission present a proposal paving the way for vehicles running on synthetic fuels.
This technology, still in development, would consist of producing fuel from CO2 from industrial activities. Defended by high-end German and Italian manufacturers, it would extend the use of heat engines after 2035.
READ ALSOUnder pressure from Berlin, the EU relaxes the ban on combustion enginesBut many experts believe that synthetic fuels have very little chance of establishing themselves on the market, and would only concern, at best, a minority of luxury vehicles. For their part, environmental NGOs dispute this technology, which they consider costly, energy-intensive and polluting.