The recent shift in the European Union’s approach to phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles is raising concerns within Germany’s largest automobile club, the ADAC, that broader climate protection goals may also be jeopardized. ADAC Traffic President Gerhard Hillebrand cautioned against any softening of ambitious CO2 reduction targets, stating that to do so would represent “a fatal misdirection” given the imperative to limit global warming.
Hillebrand’s remarks come in response to escalating debate surrounding the economic impact of stricter environmental regulations, with some industry voices arguing that stringent climate protection measures are detrimental to economic activity. He countered these arguments by advocating for an expansion of the EU’s emissions trading system to encompass the transportation sector – a move that would substantially increase the cost of fossil fuels. “The ADAC considers CO2 pricing a key instrument in achieving climate targets” Hillebrand affirmed, emphasizing that such mechanisms provide the necessary incentive for consumers to transition towards more environmentally friendly alternatives to diesel and gasoline vehicles.
While acknowledging the EU’s decision to postpone the implementation of a uniform EU-wide CO2 price for fuel from 2027 to January 1, 2028, largely due to resistance from Eastern European nations, Hillebrand expressed measured support for the delay. He recognized the need to mitigate price volatility and potential consumer burden, but stressed that any price increases must be accompanied by readily available and affordable alternatives.
However, the ADAC’s optimism is tempered by the EU Commission’s controversial proposal, made last Tuesday under pressure from Germany, to relax the planned ban on internal combustion engine vehicle sales as of 2035. The revised proposal allows for the continued sale of highly efficient diesel and gasoline vehicles and reduces the required CO2 emissions reduction target for manufacturers from 100% to 90% over the next decade. While Hillebrand conceded that exploring alternative propulsion technologies alongside electric vehicles represented a positive step, he criticized the complexity of the framework and lamented the insufficient incentivization of alternative fuels crucial to maintaining the existing vehicle fleet. This lack of support for alternatives, he suggests, demonstrates a missed opportunity to foster a genuinely sustainable and adaptable transition within the automotive sector. The ADAC’s concerns highlight a growing tension between economic considerations, political pressures and the urgent need for decisive climate action within the EU.