Germany and France, the two main economic powers of the European Union, are clashing over the community’s goal of banning the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035. German Finance Minister, christian lindnerhas described the position of the French government against thermal cars as “regrettable”.
Backed by Italy and some Eastern countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia), Germany has stalled the approval of the new standard until the European Comission submit a binding proposal excluding vehicles that run on synthetic fuels.
Bruno Le MaireFrench Minister of the Economy, has been very blunt when it comes to analyzing the situation. «You cannot say that there is a climate emergency, that our cities are too polluted […] and delay the transition to electric vehicles. That goal cannot be delayed.”
According to Lindner, France is not taking into account that battery electric cars are more expensive than thermal cars, which will make this form of mobility less affordable. The minister points out that Le Maire “He knows full well that mobility by car could become increasingly expensive for many working people. We must take these concerns seriously.”
Synthetic fuels are still more expensive than direct electrification
Lindner’s defense of synthetic fuels is especially striking when we consider that this technology is much more expensive than direct electrificationwhich demolishes the economic arguments put forward by Germany.
There are many experts who point out that e-fuels will only be viable for high-end vehicles and classic cars due to the huge energy expenditure which supposes its production from hydrogen and recaptured carbon dioxide. To their high price we should also add the fact that they do not solve the problem of NOx and particulate emissions in urban centers.
Le Maire believes that Europe is between five and ten years behind China in the development of electric vehiclesTherefore, inconsistent messages to the local industry should be avoided. “Saying that we will electrify but also stay with internal combustion a bit is economically inconsistent and dangerous for the industry. It’s not in our interest, it’s not in the interest of car manufacturers and it’s not in the interest of the planet.”
Source | Automotive News Europe
