The European Union (EU) states were scheduled to vote on Tuesday on a ban on combustion engines in new cars from 2035, but the vote has been postponed indefinitely, following a disruptive manoeuvre by the German political party FDP. The ban had already been decided upon, and the EU states were to formally seal the decision on Tuesday. However, Germany’s Transport Minister, Volker Wissing (FDP), withdrew his approval of the decision, insisting on a proposal for the integration of e-fuels before the EU vote.
As a result, Germany would have had to abstain from the EU vote, and the ban on internal combustion engines in vehicles could be overturned if Italy, Poland, and Bulgaria refuse to vote in favour or demand it be toned down. If all four countries refuse to vote in favour, there would be no qualified majority in the Council, and the law would be rejected.
See also: German transport minister opposes EU ban on ICE car
The EU has been negotiating the phase-out of internal combustion vehicles for years, and Germany has so far supported this. The European Council confirmed the draft law in November 2022, with Germany’s approval, and the Parliament did likewise shortly afterwards. The only thing still missing is the approval of the member states.
FDP reiterated its no to the plans on Friday morning, and the cancellation of the final decision on Tuesday was announced by a spokesperson of the Swedish Council Presidency on Twitter. A vote among EU ambassadors, which is considered a test, was also postponed again. The tweet said that the issue would be revisited “at the appropriate time.”
German Transport Minister Wissing said after the postponement was announced that the question of Germany’s positioning no longer arose. “If it had been asked, Germany would not have agreed today,” he said, referring to the trial vote at the EU ambassador level that was planned for that day. Further information on the next steps would be provided later in the day.
See also: European Parliament approves to ban combustion engine vehicles from 2035
The head of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is now intervening to end the FDP’s blockade. On Sunday, all the players – Transport Minister Wissing, Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, Economics Minister Robert Habeck, and von der Leyen – will meet at a cabinet retreat in Meseberg, which is actually dedicated to another topic. There is to be a press statement at 5 pm.
The reactions to the phasing out of the internal combustion engine, which is now on the brink of collapse, are fierce. Supporters of the ban, such as Sebastian Bock, German Managing Director of Transport & Environment, and Green transport experts Stefan Gelbhaar and Michael Bloss, have made statements. Supporters and opponents of the ban will be watching the situation closely, as the decision could have a significant impact on the future of the automotive industry in the EU.
