Several European Nations Push Against ICE Ban

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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14th March 2023

Germany is heading up a consortium of European nations pushing back against proposed emissions regulations and an ICE ban to protect their automotive industries.

The Euro 7 law, which European Union countries and lawmakers will start negotiating later this year, aims at tightening limits of pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, Reuters reports. EU officials say ministers are likely to consider their positions both on clean-air restrictions and the bloc’s 2035 deadline to phase out sales of new vehicles featuring ICE technology.

Germany, backed by countries including Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia, wants clearer assurances that new cars with internal combustion engines can still be sold after 2035, if they run on CO2-neutral fuels. These countries say the law is a threat to Europe’s car industry, parts of which are also lobbying to weaken the EU law, which in its current form, would see the ban of all ICE technology including hybrid and zero-emission hydrogen burning powertrains.

Porsche CEO, Oliver Blume, said he thinks Berlin was “taking the appropriate steps” to ensure e-fuels can be used in new ICE powertrains after 2035. He added: “There is no conflict between electromobility and e-fuels. I know no other possibility to decarbonize combustion engine cars.”

The CO2 law, the EU’s main tool to accelerate its transition to BEVs, was put on hold earlier this month after last-minute opposition from Germany. That surprised policymakers in Brussels and other member states, since EU countries and the European Parliament had already agreed a deal on the law last year.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_