Von der Leyen promises exceptions for E-Fuels
The dispute over the Verbrenner-Aus is emotionally charged, with the German government pushing for exemptions at the EU's insistence on behalf of the FDP. Commission President von der Leyen makes a promise before the possible re-election.
In the dispute over the Verbrenner-Aus, Ursula von der Leyen promises for the case of her re-election as EU Commission President, a push for exemptions for so-called E-Fuels. To achieve the EU climate goals, a technology-neutral approach is necessary, in which synthetic fuels play a role, according to the political guidelines of CDU politician von der Leyen for the next five years.
The EU has decided that only new vehicles that do not emit climate-damaging CO2 during operation should be allowed from 2035 onwards. The German government intervened on behalf of the FDP and argued for exceptions for E-Fuels. The Commission must now make a proposal for a new vehicle category, which could happen in a second term of Leyen's.
According to Leyen's guidelines, she intends to achieve a technology-neutral approach through a targeted amendment of the corresponding EU law. Manfred Weber, chairman of the European People's Party (EVP), expressed his pleasure: "I welcome that the new commission is revising the Verbrenner-Aus and is focusing on technological openness," said the CSU politician.
Re-election in the afternoon
E-Fuels are synthetic fuels, with which combustion engines can theoretically be operated in a climate-neutral manner. However, they are relatively expensive and are urgently needed in aviation. It is more difficult to operate planes in large quantities electrically than cars.
Von der Leyen is currently campaigning for a second term as EU Commission President. For this, she needs an absolute majority of the 700 MPs of the European Parliament to vote for her this afternoon. Besides the support of her European People's Party (EVP) and the Social Democrats and Liberals, she is also dependent on votes from the Greens. She would also need some votes from the right-wing camp. Numerous MPs have emphasized in recent days that their vote depends on what is in their political guidelines.
In her re-election campaign for the EU Commission Presidency, Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to advocate for exemptions for E-Fuels if she is re-elected. The automobile industry, particularly aviation, could benefit from the use of these synthetic fuels as they allow for theoretically climate-neutral operations. Despite the high cost of E-Fuels, this technology-neutral approach aligns with von der Leyen's political guidelines for the next five years, which emphasize a focus on reducing CO2 emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.
