EU climate plans - Günther considers the demand for E-Fuels for cars to be a moot point
Saxon Energy Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens) considers demands for e-fuels in regular cars to be a "phantom debate" and "economic nonsense". "With e-fuels, only about one sixth of the energy remains. Anyone who wants to put e-fuels on the road needs many more wind turbines, a lot more network expansion, and will have to pay more at the pump than they do now," argued the minister. He is looking forward to how Minister-President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) will explain this to the people. E-fuels are energy waste.
Kretschmer: Not everything in individual mobility should be put on one card
Kretschmer welcomed EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's (CDU) proposal for exceptions for e-fuels from the combustion engine ban up to 2035. "Our climate policy must be competitive, technology-open, and limit itself to a framework. Otherwise, we are endangering our prosperity and acceptance in the population," he said. In fact, one should not put everything in individual mobility on one card, the politics knows it no better than the market, and there are millions of car drivers. The exception for e-fuels could only be a first step.
Günther countered: There is no "end for the combustion engine ban". The EU Commission President has only announced that exceptions for the exit will be examined. The details are completely open. Statements about an end to combustion engines suggest to people that they will have their cars taken away. However, this only applies to new registrations. People should not be deceived that e-fuels are a marketable product. "Behind such populist initiatives lies a much thicker problem. These constant role reversals create uncertainty. And uncertainty harms the economy," emphasized Günther.
The EU has sealed the end for new cars with diesel and gasoline engines after 2035
The EU states and the European Parliament sealed the end for new cars with diesel and gasoline engines after 2035 in March 2023. Specifically, new cars will no longer be allowed to emit carbon dioxide, as it is produced during the combustion of gasoline and diesel. The German government intervened on behalf of the FDP to ensure that there are exceptions for e-fuels - synthetic fuels that theoretically enable combustion engines to be operated in a climate-neutral manner.
Günther reminded that Saxony is one of the most important European production sites for e-cars. "This is one of the foundations of industrial Saxony. Such attacks on e-mobility harm the Free State." Germany and the car industry in Saxony will not be deterred from this global mobility transition by zigzag comments.
Günther expressed his disagreement with the idea of utilizing e-fuels in regular cars, arguing that it would require an excessive amount of energy and resources.
Von der Leyen proposed exceptions for e-fuels from the combustion engine ban up to 2035, which Kretschmer welcomed as a necessary step in maintaining a competitive and technologically diverse climate policy.
Kretschmer emphasized that over-reliance on one solution, such as electric vehicles, could endanger the prosperity and acceptance of climate policies.
Günther countered Von der Leyen's proposal, stating that while exceptions for e-fuels are being considered, there is no definitive end to the combustion engine ban.
The EU and the European Parliament have confirmed that new cars with diesel and gasoline engines will no longer be allowed after 2035, making exceptions for e-fuels an important consideration for the German government and the automobile industry in Saxony.
Günther highlighted the significance of Saxony's role in the production of e-cars, stating that attacks on the e-mobility could negatively impact the industrial growth of the region.
