The Christian Democratic Union’s (CDU) economic council is advocating for the repeal of the EU’s combustion engine ban, signaling a potential shift in the conservative party’s approach to climate policy and sparking debate over the effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks. According to General Secretary Wolfgang Steiger, in a statement to the “Rheinische Post”, the focus should move away from dictating specific engine types and instead prioritize regulating carbon dioxide emissions themselves.
The proposal reflects growing skepticism within some conservative circles regarding the blanket prohibition of internal combustion engines, a policy initially designed to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. Critics argue the current approach risks disproportionately impacting consumers and hindering the development of alternative fuels, such as synthetic e-fuels, which could significantly reduce emissions from existing engine technology.
Steiger’s suggested alternative – an EU-wide, sector-inclusive carbon certificate trading system – represents a more market-based solution. Such a system would establish a cap on overall emissions and allow companies to buy and sell allowances, theoretically incentivizing emission reduction efforts across multiple sectors and energy sources. Critically, the success of this system would depend on a predictable and transparent reduction timeline for available certificates, ensuring continuous pressure for decarbonization.
However, the proposal is likely to draw scrutiny. Environmental groups are expected to raise concerns that a shift away from the combustion engine ban could weaken emissions targets and slow the transition to a low-carbon economy. Furthermore, the practical implementation and potential loopholes of a carbon certificate trading system remain complex, requiring careful design and robust oversight to prevent unintended consequences and ensure genuine environmental benefit. The debate underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing climate ambition with economic feasibility and consumer acceptance within the European Union’s policy landscape.