” We reached an agreement with Germany on the future use of biofuels in cars. We will now work to ensure that the regulation on CO2 standards for cars is adopted as soon as possible and that the Commission will quickly take the necessary legal action. “. It is in these terms that Frans Timmermans, The European Environment Commissioner officially declared the end of the period of doubt about synthetic fuels this weekend. In recent weeks, Germany has risen to the front. Allow this type of fuel in new cars after the fateful date of 2035. We will remind The European Commission wanted to ban any commercialization of models running on thermal energy (diesel, gasoline) after 2035. This German victory calls into question many of the decisions and strategies adopted in recent months regarding electrification.

A strong desire to ban the internal combustion engine

The topic is really not new. The European Union dreams of being a world leader in the transition to electricity. Pollution protection standards is becoming more and more rigid, as evidenced the latest Euro-7, which further restricts manufacturers in internal combustion engine emissions. But also the spread of EPZ in Europe, these “low emission zones” where only the least polluting vehicles can drive. More generally, The EU body has been pushing for all-electric for years. Most states and automakers participate. Get out of completely thermal and gradually replace each of your models with a new electric one. Some brands will be 100% electric from 2025, others in 2028 and still others in 2032. The goal: that every new car registered in the EU in 2035 be electric.

Fuel with “zero emissions”.

At least that’s what was discussed for months and finally happened formalized by a vote on February 27 last year. But Germany has recently backed down. Finally fight for acceptance of synthetic fuel, and positions itself in favor of their permission after 2035. This fuel is obtained from “processed” CO2. From industrial activity using low-carbon electricity. Germany wanted them to be considered a “zero emission” fuel. EU implemented. It must also be said that this opposition crystallized the discontent of other countries. Like Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia or Hungary.

Germany’s victory over the European bureaucracy

The EU released, and ” Internal combustion vehicles can be registered after 2035 if they use only CO2 neutral fuel “, as German Transport Minister Volker Wiesing proudly showed. Even if they are insignificant today, synthetic fuel has the advantage of what it is capable of work in any heat engine. No need for modification or reprogramming (as for example in the case of LPG or ethanol).

Although it is very good The EU discredits itself with such a measure. She, who has been claiming for several years that only electricity is the solution of the future for the automotive sector. The door is now open for new entrants to develop and improve this technology (currently, Porsche is the European leader in synthetic fuel).