EU, Germany reach deal on future use of combustion engines

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EU, Germany reach deal on future use of combustion engines

Reuters - The European Union and Germany have reached a deal on the future use of combustion engines, an issue that has been closely followed by the auto industry.

The agreement will allow combustion engines beyond 2035 and was quickly condemned by a prominent environmental group.

The bloc and its largest economy had been at odds over the planned 2035 phase-out of CO 2 emitting cars, but leaders signalled in recent days that they were close to a resolution.

Germany wanted to make sure new combustion engine cars can be sold beyond the deadline if they run on e-fuels - a request supported by parts of Germany's powerful car industry.

The head of the EU's climate policy, Frans Timmermans, said on Twitter that they had reached an agreement with Germany on the future use of e-fuels in cars.

The way is clear with the agreement reached late Friday, according to the German transport minister Volker Wissing.

Vehicles with internal combustion engines can still be registered after 2035 if they fill up exclusively with CO 2 neutral fuels, he said in a post on Twitter.

Sweden, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, said on Monday that EU diplomats would vote to approve the 2035 phaseout law.

That would allow energy ministers to give the final sign-off needed for it to enter into force on Tuesday, at a scheduled meeting in Brussels.

Benjamin Stephan, a Greenpeace campaign group, said the deal was a setback for climate protection.

He said that this stinky compromise hurts Europe and undermines climate protection in transport.

He said that it dilutes the focus of the auto industry on efficient electromobility.