A rift is emerging within the German government over the European Union’s aggressive timeline for phasing out combustion engine vehicles, as Economics Minister Katarina Reiche (CDU) has reportedly bypassed established protocol to lobby the European Commission for a softening of CO2 fleet emission standards. In a joint letter with Italian counterpart Adolfo Urso (Fratelli d’Italia), Reiche has called for a review of the regulations, arguing for increased flexibility to avoid “disproportionate penalties” for automakers.
The letter, revealed by Politico’s “Industrie und Handel” newsletter, proposes recognizing alternatives to battery-electric vehicles beyond 2035, potentially opening the door for other low-emission and zero-emission technologies. Crucially, the ministers also demand a recalculation of emission assessments, shifting from tailpipe emissions to a lifecycle analysis that would incorporate the environmental impact of battery production – a factor currently overlooked that could negatively impact the perceived climate performance of electric vehicles.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from within the German government, particularly from the SPD, the junior coalition partner. Sebastian Roloff, the SPD’s economic policy spokesperson and Jakob Blankenburg, the party’s environmental policy spokesperson, expressed surprise at the letter’s existence, stating they were unaware of it beforehand. They underscored the expectation that industrial and climate policy decisions be coordinated within the government, accusing Reiche of an “unilateral action.
The Environment Ministry, also led by the SPD, echoed this sentiment, asserting that the letter does not represent the position of the entire German government. Sources within the Economics Ministry confirmed that Reiche acted on behalf of her ministry alone, not on behalf of the entire federal government. This internal dispute highlights a growing tension between the urgency demanded by EU climate targets and the practical realities faced by the automotive industry.
The current fleet emission standards, part of the EU’s “Fit-for-55” package designed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, mandate a gradual reduction in permissible CO2 emissions per kilometer, effectively banning the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles from 2035. The International Court of Justice recently emphasized that states exceeding a 1.5-degree warming threshold could face legal action for damages, adding further pressure on the EU’s climate ambitions.
The push for a reconsideration of these regulations underscores a complex political landscape where industrial competitiveness and climate goals are increasingly at odds and where internal governmental consensus is proving difficult to maintain. The implications of Reiche’s actions remain to be seen, but they signal a potentially significant challenge to the EU’s commitment to a rapid transition to electric mobility.
