The looming automotive summit on Thursday is sparking a critical internal debate within Germany’s governing coalition, with Lower Saxony’s Minister-President Olaf Lies advocating for a reassessment of the planned combustion engine phase-out by 2035. Lies argues that prioritizing job security within the crucial automotive sector necessitates a more flexible approach, pushing for “technology options” beyond that deadline.
Lies’ intervention highlights the severe pressures currently facing Germany’s industrial base, particularly in regions heavily reliant on auto manufacturing. He emphasized that the summit must unequivocally prioritize safeguarding employment, citing substantial workforce reductions already underway at major firms like Bosch, where a potential loss of 13,000 jobs is being considered. “We cannot simply dismiss these concerns” Lies stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Acknowledging the precarious position of the German automotive industry-burdened by declining sales, burgeoning competition from China and the threat of US import tariffs-Lies stressed the paramount importance of job preservation. He warned that pursuing climate neutrality at the expense of broad societal support risks a dangerous shift in political direction. “If achieving the right goal – greater climate protection – involves losing societal majorities, nobody is served” he declared, implying a potential backlash against overly aggressive decarbonization policies.
Lies contends that the current plan for a combustion engine ban, conceived “many years ago” has been significantly impacted by a series of unforeseen global events. The COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine, soaring energy prices and tariffs imposed by Donald Trump have fundamentally altered the economic landscape. He insists that adapting to these new realities is a necessary function of responsible governance. While reaffirming the goal of widespread electric vehicle adoption, Lies acknowledges that the previously envisioned timeline is now unrealistic.
To achieve a viable transition, Lies proposes maintaining “technology options” beyond 2035, specifically citing range extenders and plug-in hybrid vehicles – solutions combining combustion engines and electric motors. He argued that these technologies can facilitate progress toward climate targets while providing a bridge to a fully electric future.
Lies is calling for a unified and clear framework emerging from the automotive summit. He believes a successful outcome hinges on a compromise that satisfies two opposing viewpoints: those advocating for a return to traditional combustion engine technology must recognize the commitment to electric mobility, while those resistant to any deviation from a strict electric vehicle roadmap must acknowledge the need for transitional technologies. This requires a delicate balancing act, ensuring both environmental sustainability and economic stability within a pivotal sector of the German economy.