German court clears Mercedes and BMW to sell combustion cars beyond 2030
Germany's highest court has rejected lawsuits aiming to block Mercedes-Benz and BMW from selling new combustion-engine cars after 2030. The federal court of justice in Karlsruhe upheld earlier rulings, dismissing claims brought by environmental campaigners. Both automakers welcomed the decision as a step toward legal clarity.
The cases were filed by the DUH environmental lobby, which argued that carmakers should be bound by stricter emissions limits. The court ruled that no individual carbon budgets had been assigned to companies, weakening the group's position.
Mercedes-Benz and BMW responded positively, calling the verdict essential for business certainty in Germany. The ruling aligns with the current government's stance—no national ban on combustion engine production has been proposed. Instead, the coalition of Union and SPD parties backs EU-level adjustments to the 2035 registration ban, as outlined in late 2025 projections.
Efforts to phase out combustion engines have faced delays. The previous government's goal of 15 million electric cars by 2030 remains far off, with only around 2 million registered by early 2026. Industry resistance continues, and no specific national measures have been introduced to accelerate the transition.
The court's decision removes immediate legal pressure on German automakers to halt combustion-engine sales by 2030. Without stricter national policies, the shift to electric vehicles will depend on EU regulations and market trends. The government's focus remains on negotiating changes at the European level rather than enforcing domestic bans.
