The German Social Democratic Party (SPD) has indicated a willingness to discuss potential adjustments to the European Union’s fleet emission limits, a regulation set to effectively prohibit the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2035. SPD General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf signaled this openness in remarks to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” stating the future of the automotive sector is increasingly electric, a trend mirrored by other nations and reflected in rising sales of electric vehicles within Germany.
While emphasizing the priority remains the success of the German automotive industry and safeguarding employment, Klüssendorf acknowledged the need for dialogue regarding the 2035 deadline. This potential shift comes amid pressure from the struggling automotive industry, which has seen slower-than-anticipated adoption of electric vehicles.
The opposition parties have long advocated for a rescinding or postponement of the ban on new gasoline and diesel vehicle registrations in 2035, a position not incorporated within the current coalition agreement. A group of SPD members traditionally considered conservative, along with Lower Saxony’s Minister-President Olaf Lies, previously expressed support for a revision, though no official endorsement has come from the party leadership.
Klüssendorf stressed the importance of providing clarity and planning certainty for automotive manufacturers, cautioning that frequent alterations to regulations can create confusion and instability. The European Commission is expected to review the fleet emission limits before the end of the year and Klüssendorf stated the SPD will carefully examine the outcome of this review.
Regarding previously announced purchase incentives for electric vehicles, Klüssendorf offered a measured response, attributing any delays to a precarious budgetary situation, particularly concerning the year 2027. He reiterated the dual objectives of maintaining a robust German automotive sector and securing employment.
The current “fleet emission limits” allow for an average of 93.6 grams of CO2 per kilometer emitted by all new vehicles registered within the EU from a given manufacturer. These limits are scheduled for a phased reduction, ultimately reaching zero grams of CO2 per kilometer, effectively ending the sale of new combustion engine vehicles by 2035.
These regulations are a core component of the “Fit-for-55” package, designed to guide the EU towards limiting climate change to slightly above two degrees Celsius. Recent rulings from international courts have underscored the legal ramifications for states that exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, outlining the potential for liability and compensation.