BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) – According to a report by the "Handelsblatt," the EU Commission may take more time than initially planned to present a new proposal regarding the phase-out of combustion engines. While it was previously expected that the Brussels authority would unveil its proposal in the middle of next week, this may now be postponed until next year. EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas told the "Handelsblatt": "There could be a delay." He cited good reasons for this.
"We are still working very hard to be ready by December 10. However, there is a possibility that we will be a bit later," said the Transport Commissioner. When asked about a letter from Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), in which the Chancellor advocates for "highly efficient combustion engines" even after 2035, Tzitzikostas said: "We are open to all technologies."
Current EU regulations stipulate that, from 2035 onward, no new cars with gasoline or diesel engines may be registered. This measure aims to further reduce CO2 emissions from the transport sector. Merz has called on the EU Commission to reconsider its approach and has sent a corresponding letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
When asked by the German Press Agency, the EU Commission initially did not comment on the "Handelsblatt" report. In response to a question about when the Commission intends to present its proposals, a spokesperson said: "The Commission has received the German contribution and is awaiting further input – this is an ongoing process." All contributions will be considered before a decision is made on the next steps.
EU Commissioner: We Must Support Our Industry
In his letter, Merz asked the EU Commission to revise the regulation on the so-called combustion engine ban. After 2035, vehicles with dual drives – that is, battery and combustion engine – should continue to be permitted alongside purely battery-electric vehicles. The Chancellor also pointed out that the federal states had already proposed allowing "highly efficient combustion engines."
According to Tzitzikostas in the interview, the Commission is currently considering the role of more environmentally friendly fuels such as biofuels, the role of company cars, as well as possible requirements for production shares within the EU.
The Commissioner emphasized that the issue also involves taking geopolitical developments into account. "We must ensure that we do not compromise our competitiveness while helping the EU industry maintain its technological edge," he said.
