"Manufacturers fear the looming EU ban will deal them another blow, complaining they have not had enough time to build up competitive EV offerings while demand for battery-powered cars is moving far more slowly than expected in Europe. After holding talks with auto industry leaders, Merz vowed to fight against an abrupt total ban from 2035 of sales of new fossil fuel-burning cars. "I will do everything in my power to ensure that this does not happen," he told a press conference."
"He stressed that "the path to electromobility had been opened", and Germany was committed to pursuing it and meeting climate goals, but that "flexibility" was needed. READ ALSO: Can I rent a car in Germany with my foreign driver's licence?At an EU summit later this month, Merz said he would advocate "technological advancement towards climate neutrality, but not with a date on the calendar that we cannot meet, that is unrealistic." Under pressure from Europe's carmakers, the EU had already agreed last month to fast-track a review of the ban."
"Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume, who was at the talks, echoed Merz's views. Europe's biggest carmaker was committed to the shift to EVs, he said, but added: "We will need more time for this." Coalition tensions "All political forecasts about the ramp-up were too optimistic." Merz's vocal calls to scrap the 2035 ban have fuelled tensions between his centre-right CDU party and his junior coalition partners, with some senior figures in the centre-left SPD having insisted Berlin should continue backing the policy."
Germany's auto industry is battling weak demand, a difficult transition to electric vehicles, and intense Chinese competition. Manufacturers warn that a 2035 EU ban on new fossil-fuel car sales would harm competitiveness because automakers lack time to build adequate EV offerings and consumer demand for battery cars is lagging. Minister Merz pledged to oppose an abrupt total ban while insisting on pursuing electromobility and climate goals with more policy flexibility. The EU has fast-tracked a review of the ban under industry pressure. Volkswagen and other industry leaders say more time is needed, and coalition partners are debating the policy.
Read at The Local Germany
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