European automakers have spoken out against a blanket ban on internal combustion engine cars. The industry association Acea announced that openness to technology is essential in order to achieve the European climate goals. "The enemy is fossil energy, not a specific technology," said Acea President Luca de Meo.

In addition, the association, which also represents VW, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, said: "The fundamental change in the European automotive industry requires planning security." It is noted that Europe is the only geographic area that wants to give up technology neutrality by law. The FDP argued similarly in the dispute.

Actually, it should have been decided since Tuesday that from 2035 only new cars that do not emit greenhouse gases during operation may be sold in the EU. Negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU states had already agreed on this in October. At the end of February, around a week before the planned vote by the EU states, FDP Transport Minister Volker Wissing expressed concerns and threatened not to approve the result.