The European Union has finally given in to Germany and, with the aim of save in extremis The rule that will ban the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035, has offered an exemption for synthetic fuels. In practice, this would allow the German industry to continue selling thermal vehicles after the designated date.
At the moment, only a statement has been submitted explaining the role that e-fuels would play after the ban. The European Comission It has not yet specified a deadline for drawing up a final proposal, as it will take time for Brussels to draft and approve a regulation of this caliber.
It is not clear if the declaration will be enough to win the support of Germany, whose position is supported by other countries such as Italy. Apparently, the European Union would be open to allowing the sale of certain types of automobiles capable of running exclusively on synthetic fuelsalthough all the details have not yet been disclosed.
It is interesting to remember that brands like Ferrari either Porsche they are pushing in favor of e-fuels, which leads us to believe that the exemption will apply to high-end vehicles. Although the Stuttgart firm aspires for 80% of its sales to correspond to electric models by 2030, it also wants to continue marketing gasoline sports cars such as the 911.
Synthetic fuels, a technology yet to be explored
E-fuels are obtained from the combination of recaptured carbon dioxide with green hydrogen. This technology is considered carbon neutral; however, does not solve the problem of NOx and particulate emissions. In addition, its production is not very efficient (it involves a huge energy expenditure) and is very expensive.
Teresa RiberaThird Vice President and Minister of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge of Spain, recently criticized Germany’s decision to break the previous consensus at the last minute, pointing out that a dangerous precedent has been set with this move. “It’s disappointing. What happens if other governments decide to do something similar with any other issue? The rules of procedure are for everyone.”
Some experts warn that this exemption will blur the European objectives at a very troubled time for our industry. “The current threat from the German government does not go in the direction of the planning certainty that the European battery industry needs. It will give the United States and China a leg up, which are about to overtake Europe with massive investments in electric cars and batteries.”warned a few days ago Transport & Environment.
Source | Automotive News Europe
