Here’s a soap opera we’ve thought was approved for months, but which apparently seems a long way off. Indeed, following the doubts expressed by Italy, but especially Germany, regarding the ban on the sale of new diesel locomotives in Europe from 2035, doubts are resolved within the European Union.

Thus, ministers from several European countries, who do not want to end the sale of cars with internal combustion engines in 2035 and are concerned about the draft Euro-7 standard for protection against environmental pollution, which is currently under negotiation, are meeting today in Strasbourg.

“The Czech Republic convened a specialized ministerial meeting on (the future standard) Euro 7 and emission limits (in this sector). car) on Monday in Strasbourg with the European Commission”, This was stated by the spokesman of the Ministry of Transport of Germany.

#Ecology | “We must keep our ambitions for the production of thermal cars in #2035. Otherwise, we will be swept away ecologically and industrially. We must make the electric car affordable, a French and European product. » #LCI 🇫🇷🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/rt9hHSdHNm

— Clement Baune (@CBaune) March 8, 2023

It was possible to convince Germany

And, obviously, the German minister of transport, namely Volker Wissing, who, in particular, is at the origin of this mess, is most expected. Poland will also take part in the discussion, and a representative of Italy is also expected.

Let’s recall the facts: The meeting came after Germany blocked a vote by 27 member states on Tuesdayostensibly as a formality, approve a ban on the sale of new cars with a thermal engine in 2035.

Italy and Poland have long opposed the text, while Bulgaria wants to abstain. So far, there is nothing particularly worrying for the EU, as the necessary qualified majority has been achieved. Except that with Germany’s refusal, everything changes, as the necessary qualified majority (at least 55% of states representing 65% of the EU population) is no longer achieved.

An article on synthetic fuel?

But what does Germany want? Berlin is asking the European Commission to present a proposal that paves the way for vehicles running on synthetic fuels, including after 2035.

This technology, which is still under development, is championed in particular by high-end German manufacturers with the aim of expanding the use of internal combustion engines. Porsche is actively working on the dossier and has just opened a pilot plant in Chile with several partners.

The Euro 7 standard is also in the sights

In addition to the ban on the sale of heat engines in 2035, there is also the Euro 7 anti-pollution standard proposed in November by the European Commission, which will be introduced in the car industry from 2025. This standard, according to several specialists, should “kill” most heat enginesbecause to meet the targets manufacturers will have to invest heavily in research and development… for a technology that, in any case, after ten years will be banned from sale in Europe.

In addition to shifting the costs of this modernization, the Euro 7 standard will lead to a sharp rise in vehicle prices, risking further paralysis of the already troubled European market. Not to mention the fact that this money is invested in already doomed motorizations, it is also money that will not go to research and development of new solutions related to electric motorizations.