Lower Saxony's Minister President Lies demands agreement on combustion engine phase-out - Lies Urges Consensus on Phasing Out Combustion Engines by 2035
Lower Saxony's Minister President Olaf Lies has urged for a consensus on phasing out combustion engines, warning that the transport sector's climate goals must be met to avoid repercussions on other industries. Lies proposed incentives for affordable electric cars and expressed reservations about the EU's 2035 CO2 emission standards.
Lies suggested supporting small, affordable electric cars through 'super credits' to accelerate e-mobility adoption. He believes the goal of 15 million electric cars by 2030 is unrealistic but opposes technology openness after 2035. Instead, he proposes allowing range extenders and plug-in hybrids post-2035, offsetting their emissions by the existing fleet.
Lies sees Environment Minister Carsten Schneider as the primary responsible for achieving climate goals. He advocates for stronger promotion of electric vehicles, including tax reductions and cheaper charging costs, ensuring charging is not more expensive than refueling traditional cars. Lies supports flexible technologies as transitional solutions, such as plug-in hybrids, e-fuels, and biofuels, to maintain industry stability and boost German EV competitiveness against Asian manufacturers. He opposes a strict ban on combustion engines by 2035 to facilitate this transition.
Lies' proposals aim to balance climate protection and industry stability. He calls for a pragmatic approach to phasing out combustion engines, supporting affordable electric vehicles and flexible technologies. The EU's 2035 CO2 emission standards may face relaxation or postponement, with Lies' suggestions offering potential compromises.
