The prominent German automobile club, ADAC, has launched a sharp rebuke of the German government’s newly approved draft legislation concerning minimum quotas for biofuels and e-fuels, branding the proposed targets as “completely insufficient”. The critique signals growing concerns about the efficacy of Germany’s climate action strategy within the transportation sector.
The draft bill, lauded by Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) on Wednesday as a means of making “fueling more climate-friendly step by step” has drawn ire from ADAC, which argues that the current framework falls significantly short of expectations. According to ADAC’s Technical President, Karsten Schulze, the bill’s allowance for a maximum of 25% renewable energy contribution in road transport through 2030, even accounting for multiple credits, represents a demonstrable failure to stimulate meaningful progress.
“Given the lagging advancements in climate protection within the transport sector, it’s perplexing why so few incentives are being implemented to lower CO2 emissions within the existing vehicle fleet” Schulze stated in an interview with the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. The ADAC’s assessment highlights a critical disconnect between the government’s stated ambition and the practical measures outlined in the legislation.
The low targets are particularly problematic, ADAC argues, because they actively discourage the necessary investment in production facilities for renewable fuels. The limited incentives risk perpetuating reliance on conventional fuels and undermining Germany’s broader commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Critics suggest the government’s approach prioritizes short-term political expediency over long-term sustainability and that a more aggressive regulatory framework is required to truly accelerate the transition to climate-neutral transportation. The ADAC’s statement underscores a rising tension between governmental policy and the perceived urgency of the climate crisis within Germany’s transportation infrastructure.