Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is committed to a decisive expansion of electromobility, but insists on a more flexible transition for the auto industry. “There should not be a hard cut in 2035,” said the CDU leader, with a view to the ban on new registrations of combustion engines cars coming in the EU. Merz had previously invited people to a “car summit” with industry representatives, trade unions and representatives from several federal states to discuss better conditions and renewed state aid for the ailing German key industry.
Electric drives are “the main road on which people drive,” emphasized Merz. But it is true that it takes time to bring it to market. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) said: “We don’t want to hit our heads against the wall.” More flexibility and pragmatism are needed to maintain a strong industry and secure it in the future. The coalition committee of the Union and the SPD had previously decided on a new funding program with purchase incentives for electric cars, from which households with small and medium incomes should particularly benefit.
The IG Metall takes positive messages from the car summit. “It was encouraging for us,” said chairwoman Christiane Benner after the exchange in the Chancellery. It has become clear that there is a need for action given the dramatic situation in the industry. Politics in Berlin and Brussels must at the same time support electromobility and make CO2 regulations more flexible with a view to hybrid drives and emission-neutral fuels. “Our employees are unsettled, we need clarity.”
Mercedes boss Ola Källenius had already said before the meeting in Berlin made his position clear in an interview with manager magazin
: He sees a possibility of achieving the climate goals set by politicians without a ban on combustion engines.
VW boss Blume: “The ban on combustion engines in 2035 is unrealistic”
VW CEO Oliver Blume doubts the EU’s planned ban on combustion engines. “From today’s perspective, the target set for 2035 is unrealistic. And that’s why we need more flexibility,” said Blume. Achieving the climate goals is an essential obligation, said Blume, who is also the sports car manufacturer Porsche leads. However, the period from 2035 needs to be extended. “We will need more time for this. All political forecasts about the ramp-up were too optimistic.” Everything that contributes to decarbonization should be used for this, said Blume. There have recently been suggestions from the industry to exempt plug-in hybrids and cars with range extenders from the ban. In the latter case, a small combustion engine increases the range of electric cars.
“We have it in our own hands to use the automotive industry as a motor for growth and prosperity Germany and strengthen Europe. This requires competitive and reliable framework conditions, more flexibility on the way to the CO2 targets as well as unbureaucratic tax incentives for private demand,” said Blume. The Volkswagen boss made it clear that VolkswagenFrom his point of view, the group is already “delivering”: “Every fifth newly registered car from the group is electrically powered. We are the market leader in fully electric vehicles in Europe. Two thirds of our investments, a mid-double-digit billion amount, go into electrification and digitalization.”
“There is agreement between the players: we need a full offensive to ramp up electromobility now and in the coming years,” added Daniela Cavallo (61), Chairwoman of the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen AG. That’s why everyone needs to work on an overall package. From the customer’s perspective, this package included the further expansion of the charging network, competitive and transparent electricity prices at the charging station, purchase incentives and affordability. From the perspective of the automotive industry, it would be about competitive industrial policy, openness to hybrid drives, more climate-friendly fuels and more European cell and battery expertise.
The head of the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), Hildegard Müller, meanwhile welcomes the federal government’s support for more flexibility in the EU’s CO₂ climate targets for the auto industry. Müller calls the government’s new position on plug-in hybrids and range extenders, i.e. combinations of electric and combustion engines beyond 2035, a positive signal. Penalties for failing to meet CO₂ limits must be avoided given the difficult situation in the automotive industry.