Different interpretations of the combust • Table.Briefings

After the Environment Council, the players involved were all pretty much in agreement: After 2035, there will be no more cars that still emit CO2 – effectively a rejection of e-fuels and hybrids. But the readings the following day diverge widely – as do the reactions.

The EU’s „no“ to phasing out internal combustion engines was the right thing to do, FDP leader and German Finance Minister Christian Lindner tweeted on Wednesday morning. CO2-free fuels in passenger cars remain possible even after the agreement of the EU environment ministers, in his view. Many see it differently. They see the agreement at the Environment Council as a clear vote against the internal combustion engine. Among them are Steffi Lemke (Greens), the environment minister responsible for the legislative proposal, and Green Deal Commissioner Frans Timmermans.

Different interpretations of the combustion engine phase-out

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