The German government’s efforts to secure a post-2035 exemption for “highly efficient combustion engines” within the European Union are facing mounting criticism, largely due to a glaring lack of clarity surrounding the term itself. While Berlin has lobbied successfully to allow for a potential loophole in the EU’s planned combustion engine ban, it has failed to provide any concrete definition or measurable criteria to define what constitutes a “highly efficient” engine.
According to a written response from Christian Hirte, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport, the term was introduced by state premiers during a recent conference, not by the ministry itself. Hirte’s statement, revealed in response to an inquiry from Green Party MP Julian Joswig and reported by “Der Spiegel”, underscores a concerning ambiguity at the heart of the government’s strategy.
Joswig has sharply condemned the government’s messaging, accusing Friedrich Merz, a prominent figure within the ruling coalition, of adopting the agenda of the fossil fuel automotive lobby without adequately explaining its implications for climate goals. He labeled the exemption as a “sham” suggesting a deliberate obfuscation designed to slow the transition to electric mobility.
Independent analysis from Agora Verkehrswende highlights the stark difference in efficiency between electric vehicles (64%) and gasoline-powered cars (approximately 20%). While electric vehicle production currently generates higher initial greenhouse gas emissions, their operational efficiency results in a significantly lower overall carbon footprint over their lifespan. Electric cars become demonstrably more climate-friendly than gasoline vehicles after approximately 60,000 kilometers and outperform diesel vehicles after 90,000 kilometers. The potential for even greater carbon reduction is realized through the utilization of renewable energy sources for charging.
The lack of transparency regarding the criteria for “highly efficient combustion engines” raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to achieving its own climate targets and risks undermining the credibility of the EU’s broader decarbonization efforts. Critics suggest the maneuver represents a politically motivated concession to powerful industry interests at the expense of long-term environmental sustainability and could ultimately delay the widespread adoption of truly emission-free transportation.
