A rift has emerged within the German government and between Berlin and Brussels over the EU’s stringent carbon emissions targets for new vehicles, raising questions about the bloc’s commitment to its climate goals. Economics Minister Katarina Reiche (CDU) and her Italian counterpart, Adolfo Urso (Fratelli d’Italia), have jointly petitioned the European Commission to soften the proposed CO2 fleet emission limits for new cars, a move that reportedly bypassed consultation with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the junior coalition partner in Germany’s government.
The joint letter, revealed by Politico’s “Industrie und Handel” newsletter, argues for a revision of the regulations to introduce “additional flexibility” and prevent “disproportionate penalties” for automakers. Specifically, the ministers advocate for the recognition of alternative low- and zero-emission vehicles beyond battery-electric vehicles after 2035, potentially prolonging the viability of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Furthermore, the letter calls for a significant shift in how vehicle emissions are calculated. Currently, assessments focus solely on tailpipe emissions. The CDU and Fratelli d’Italia are pushing for a “lifecycle assessment” that considers the environmental impact from the extraction of raw materials through vehicle production, use and eventual disposal. Proponents of this approach argue that lifecycle analyses would reveal a less favorable carbon footprint for battery-electric vehicles, largely due to the resource-intensive process of battery production, potentially diminishing the incentives for a full transition to electric vehicles. While acknowledging that electric vehicles generally remain the climate-friendlier option under both calculation models, the lifecycle assessment raises concerns about dampening the urgency for change.
The lack of prior consultation with the SPD has triggered sharp criticism from within the German government. Sebastian Roloff and Jakob Blankenburg, the SPD’s spokespersons for economic and environmental policy, respectively, expressed dismay at the apparent unilateral action. “We had no prior knowledge of this letter” they stated, emphasizing the expectation for coordinated policy development within the government and rejecting “unilateral action.
The SPD-led Environment Ministry echoed this sentiment, asserting that the letter does not represent the stance of the entire German government. Sources within the Economics Ministry confirmed that Reiche acted solely on behalf of her ministry, not the broader federal government.
The current fleet emission targets, a key component of the EU’s “Fit-for-55” package designed to limit climate change to just above two degrees Celsius, cap average CO2 emissions for new vehicles at 93.6 grams per kilometer, gradually reducing this to zero by 2035, effectively phasing out sales of new internal combustion engine vehicles. Recent rulings by international courts highlight the potential for legal action against states failing to adhere to a 1.5-degree Celsius warming limit.
This disagreement exposes a growing tension between ambitious climate targets and the economic realities faced by European automakers, alongside the political complexities of navigating a coalition government and maintaining solidarity within the European Union. The outcome of the Commission’s response could significantly impact the speed and trajectory of Europe’s transition to electric mobility and its overall commitment to combating climate change.