The new center-left and right coalition government in Baden-Württemberg plans comprehensive changes to the European Union mandate that prohibits the registration of new internal combustion engine vehicles starting in 2035. These plans were outlined in the coalition agreement, which was scheduled for public release on Wednesday.
According to the document, the coalition pledges to do everything necessary for Baden-Württemberg to become a manufacturing hub for the “car of the future”. While acknowledging that e-mobility is the central future technology, the parties also aim to develop alternative, climate-friendly propulsion concepts, utilize eco-friendly fuels, and explore complementary transition technologies. These include highly efficient combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles equipped with range extenders; notably, the agreement does not specify the 2035 deadline.
This approach signals a departure from the Green Party’s established platform, which views the 2035 “combustion engine ban” as non-negotiable, stating it will oppose any dilution or deferral of the target year. In contrast, the Greens and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) agreed to maintain the overall goal of achieving climate neutrality for Baden-Württemberg by 2040, while simultaneously advocating for “greater flexibility in the path to achieving these goals”.
The much stricter EU performance mandates-derived from the “Fit-for-55” package-were designed to steer the EU toward a climate change limit of just over 2 degrees Celsius (previously the path was projected to exceed 4 degrees). Currently, all new cars sold across the EU must emit an average of 93.6 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Existing plans intend for this limit to gradually fall to zero. Under these rules, the sale of new combustion engine vehicles would be indirectly prohibited starting in 2035. Furthermore, alternative fuels, plug-in hybrids, and range extenders are not considered sufficiently effective to achieve zero CO2 emissions.
Adding to the debate, the EU Commission recently proposed modifying the fleet limits. This reform would involve two main changes: first, easing the manufacturer fleet limits so that the required CO2 reduction for new car fleets by 2035 would only need to reach 90%. Second, establishing new, binding targets for the decarbonization of corporate vehicle fleets.
