The Federal Ministry of Transport sees signs of movement in the dispute over the future of new vehicles with internal combustion engines in the European Union. "There are positive tendencies that can be a good basis for further talks," said a spokesman on Monday in Berlin. We are in a constructive exchange with the EU Commission. However, due to the complexity of the topic, no statements can be made about the timetable. The ministry recently submitted a solution proposal to the EU Commission.

The background to this is a fundamental agreement between the European Parliament and EU states, according to which only zero-emission new cars may be registered in the EU from 2035. However, Germany is urging that new cars with internal combustion engines that use artificial fuels produced with green electricity, so-called e-fuels, be permitted even after this.

According to a letter, the Ministry of Transport is suggesting a way that does not require the approval of the European Parliament and the EU states. Specifically, department head Volker Wissing (FDP) proposes a so-called delegated legal act that would supplement the currently blocked combustion engine agreement. The compromise already reached would therefore not have to be changed. The EU Commission can pass such a legal act, after which Parliament and EU states have two months to raise objections.