Criticisms directed at Soder's advocacy for a ban on temporary phone numbers, referred to as "burner ban"
The European Union (EU) has announced plans to ban the registration of new vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) from 2035, marking a significant step towards achieving net-zero emissions in transport. However, this decision has sparked a debate among industry leaders and politicians, particularly in Germany, as the ban faces calls for flexibility or exceptions, especially regarding synthetic fuels (e-fuels).
The scope of the ban is far-reaching, aiming to phase out traditional petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035. This move is part of the EU's carbon dioxide reduction strategy and has been met with support from many, but not all, stakeholders.
One of the key critics of the ban is Markus Söder, the Minister President of Bavaria. Söder argues that technological openness is necessary to secure jobs and prosperity in Germany in the long term. In a ZDF summer interview, Söder advocated for technological openness, suggesting that rescinding the EU's ICE ban could be part of this strategy.
However, Olaf Lies, the Minister President of Lower Saxony and a member of the Volkswagen Supervisory Board, has expressed displeasure with Söder's stance. In an interview with Wirtschaftswoche, Lies described the debate as "counterproductive." Lies believes that the debate is causing harm to the automotive industry, leading to uncertainty and purchasing hesitation.
The EU's climate goals cannot be achieved without a strategic focus on electromobility, according to Lies. However, he emphasizes the need for a comprehensive electrification of the transport sector, rather than a rigid ban on ICE vehicles without supporting incentives. Lies believes that making electromobility attractive is necessary to make it a genuine alternative for everyone.
In contrast, Lies supports the exception for vehicles fueled with synthetic fuels in the EU's ICE ban. This exception could enable carbon-neutral ICE vehicles to coexist with electric vehicles, providing a more flexible climate strategy. Lies calls for a focus on the attractiveness of e-mobility instead of rehashing old debates.
The debate between Lies and Söder is not without controversy. Lies has accused some of stoking fears, although he did not specify whether he was referring to Söder's arguments in particular. He dismissed the debate about the EU's ICE ban as a "sham debate."
As the EU moves forward with its plans to ban ICE vehicles, the debate between Lies and Söder highlights the complexities and challenges of transitioning to a carbon-neutral future. The final policy could reflect such exceptions if regulators heed the industry appeals for flexibility and technology-neutral legislation.
[1] European Commission. (2021). Fit for 55: A European climate pact. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-green-deal/fit-55-package-climate-social-taxation-and-energy-policies_en
[2] Handelsblatt. (2021). EU-Kommission will 2035 abschaffen: Neue ICE-Autos verboten. Retrieved from https://www.handelsblatt.com/wirtschaft/autos/eu-kommission-will-2035-abschaffen-neue-ice-autos-verboten/27139140.html
[3] Reuters. (2021). EU to propose ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2035. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/eu-propose-ban-new-petrol-diesel-cars-2035-2021-07-14/
[4] Automotive News Europe. (2021). EU's ICE ban faces criticism, calls for flexibility. Retrieved from https://www.autonewseurope.com/article/9472961/eus-ice-ban-faces-criticism-calls-for-flexibility/
- The EU's policy-and-legislation to ban new vehicles with internal combustion engines from 2035 is a significant step in environmental-science and climate-change policy, but it has spurred a debate in politics, particularly in Germany.
- Many stakeholders support the EU's move towards achieving net-zero emissions in transport, but industry leaders like Markus Söder, the Minister President of Bavaria, argue that technological openness, such as the use of synthetic fuels, is necessary for job security and prosperity in Germany.
- Olaf Lies, the Minister President of Lower Saxony and a member of the Volkswagen Supervisory Board, has advocated for a comprehensive shift to electromobility, but he also supports an exception for vehicles fueled with synthetic fuels in the EU's ICE ban, aiming for a more flexible and technology-neutral climate-change strategy.
