The German government is issuing a stark warning to Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW following the European Commission’s recent proposal to ease CO2 emission regulations, urging the automotive giants to avoid clinging to traditional combustion engines. SPD leader and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil cautioned against misinterpreting the softened stance, emphasizing that delaying the transition to electric mobility will ultimately exacerbate their future challenges.
Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, Klingbeil stressed the imperative of maintaining a rapid pace towards electrification. He warned that the belief that diesel and gasoline vehicles could remain viable for much longer is a dangerous misconception, highlighting the potential for significant difficulties down the line. The government’s planned electric vehicle subsidies, he added, are specifically designed to ensure accessibility for citizens with modest and middle incomes, addressing concerns about affordability during the shift.
The EU Commission’s revised proposal, which allows for continued hybrid vehicle production, has been presented by Klingbeil as a pragmatic compromise. He emphasized that the agreement also includes provisions for the inclusion of domestically produced, climate-friendly steel in vehicle manufacturing, which will be factored into the overall emissions balance. This approach, Klingbeil argues, demonstrates that protecting jobs and safeguarding the climate are not mutually exclusive goals.
However, the Finance Minister’s tone carried a note of criticism, particularly regarding the perceived lag in Germany’s automotive industry. Following recent visits to Beijing and Shanghai, Klingbeil remarked on the significant progress made in electric vehicle adoption in China, largely due to aggressive government support. “Our automakers have catching up to do” he stated bluntly.
The underlying message is clear: despite this temporary flexibility, the future of mobility is unequivocally electric and German automotive giants risk jeopardizing their long-term competitiveness if they fail to drastically accelerate their transition. The debate now revolves around the pace and practicality of that shift and the political pressures to balance environmental targets with the protection of a vital national industry.
