Germany wants to allow the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines even after 2035, despite the EU ban. Chancellor Merz will communicate the new position to the European Commission.

The government coalition in Berlin has agreed that high-efficiency internal combustion engines should be allowed even after 2035. Chancellor Friedrich Merz will send a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to present this new position, which has emerged following internal disputes. In 2022, the European Union decided to ban carbon dioxide emissions for new cars from 2035, which would exclude vehicles with internal combustion engines.

However, criticism from the automotive industry and some EU member states has led the European Commission to consider revising the regulation. Chancellor Merz emphasized the importance of the automotive industry for Germany's economy, stating that the ban should not be a "drastic reduction." In contrast, France and Spain support the ban from 2035, and over 150 companies in the automotive sector are calling for the established deadline to be maintained. On December 10, the European Commission will present a package of proposals for revising the carbon emissions regulation.