Bundestag member Sahra Wagenknecht has announced her intention to hold a vote on reversing the planned phase-out of combustion engines in parliament. Wagenknecht, who is the leader of the alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), stated that there is evidently a majority in the Bundestag against the combustion engine phase-out. She added that the BSW will push for a vote on revoking the ban on combustion engines in the Bundestag, providing an opportunity for the Union and FDP to act on their words. This move comes in response to criticism from CSU leader Markus Söder, who has repeatedly spoken out against the planned phase-out of combustion engines in the EU.
Söder recently described the 2035 deadline for banning new cars with diesel or petrol engines in the EU as wrong and called for it to be reversed in an interview with “Bild am Sonntag.” He argued that it is nonsensical to retire a functioning technology and leave it to other countries in the future. Federal Minister of Transport Volker Wissing welcomed calls to reverse the combustion ban at the EU level. He emphasized the importance of technological neutrality in regulating the automotive industry, stating that even those who are late to the party are welcome to support this principle. Wagenknecht echoed these sentiments, labeling the combustion engine ban as Germany’s biggest industrial policy mistake in recent decades and emphasizing the imperative to protect the automotive industry.
Wagenknecht has called for the Bundestag to urge the federal government to lobby for the reversal of the EU combustion engine ban. She argued that it would be inexcusable to destroy this industry, stressing the importance of considering alternatives like E-fuels that do not emit additional CO2 into the atmosphere. The EU had agreed that as of 2035, no new cars will be allowed to run on petrol or diesel, with some exceptions being considered for E-fuels. The debate on this issue is ongoing, with various political figures expressing differing opinions on the matter.
The push to reverse the combustion engine ban in the Bundestag has sparked discussions about the future of the automotive industry in Germany and beyond. Some politicians, such as Wagenknecht and Wissing, believe that the ban would be detrimental to the industry and advocate for a more technology-neutral approach to regulation. Others, however, support the transition towards more sustainable forms of transportation and see the ban as a necessary step in combatting climate change. The outcome of the potential vote in the Bundestag remains uncertain, but it is clear that the debate on the phase-out of combustion engines will continue to be a contentious issue for the foreseeable future.
The proposal to reconsider the ban on combustion engines comes at a time when the automotive industry is already undergoing significant transformations due to technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. The transition towards electric vehicles has been gaining momentum in recent years, with many countries setting ambitious targets for phasing out internal combustion engines. Germany, as a major player in the automotive sector, faces the challenge of balancing the economic interests of the industry with the need to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. The debate over the combustion engine ban is just one aspect of this larger discussion about the future of mobility and environmental responsibility.
As the discussion unfolds in the Bundestag and among political leaders, the automotive industry and its stakeholders will be closely watching the developments and potential outcomes. The decision on the combustion engine ban will have far-reaching consequences for manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers, shaping the future landscape of the industry. Whether the ban is ultimately reversed or upheld, the debate surrounding the phase-out of combustion engines reflects broader questions about technology, policy, and the transition to a more sustainable transport system. The decision will not only impact the automotive sector but also have implications for climate action, industrial policy, and Germany’s position in the global economy.
