Berlin welcomes planned changes to combustion engine phase-out in EU

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has welcomed planned changes to the phase-out of combustion engines vehicles from 2035 in the European Union.

According to information obtained by dpa, the European Commission intends to propose reversing the so-called combustion engine ban next week and allowing the registration of new cars with combustion engines even after 2035.

According to the current EU law, from 2035 no more newly manufactured vehicles will be allowed to emit carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. This effectively means a complete end to combustion engine cars and vans, whether petrol or diesel.

"We are not questioning the goals, but we must take a different path to achieve them," Merz said, speaking in the German city of Heidelberg. "We will only be able to do something for climate protection if we have a competitive industry."

"This is why I very much welcome the fact that the commission is now embarking on the path to making a decision next week regarding the largest industrial sector we have in Germany, namely the automotive industry and its future," he said.

The commission will have the support of the German government to quickly take this path, Merz said, adding "we don't have much time to lose."

Large parts of the automotive industry in Europe, including in Germany, and the supplier industry are in an extremely difficult economic situation, in part due to stiff competition from abroad.

"That's why we need to correct the framework conditions in Europe as quickly as possible so that this industry has a future in Europe," the German chancellor said.

Merz has repeatedly advocated for changes to the planned ban.