It was thought to be a done deal, but now Germany is seeking assurances that synthetic fuels will be a viable alternative after the laws come into effect.
The world’s strictest petrol-car emissions laws are off to a stalled start, as the European Union battles with the car industry over the severity of the planned introduction of the harsh new regulations.
Last week, the European Union postponed a vote on a law that would effectively bring an end to new cars being sold in the region with petrol and diesel engines – also referred to as internal-combustion engines – from 2035.
The vote is considered a formality in proceedings, and its postponement is considered highly unusual.
According to a report from Automotive News Europe, the EU is in talks with Germany over the allowance of synthetic fuels, which would mean internal-combustion engines could continue to be manufactured and sold after 2035.
In the days since, sports-car brands Porsche and Ferrari have also been pushing for the adoption of synthetic fuels as a carbon-neutral alternative within the regulations.
Synthetic fuels are created by removing carbon from the atmosphere, then turning it into combustible liquids for cars using sustainable energy such as wind and solar.
When the fuels are burned in an internal-combustion engine, the vehicles release the same amount of carbon back into the atmosphere as were collected, making its lifecycle carbon neutral.
Both Porsche and BMW have invested in the synthetic fuel industry, with factories already being built in South America and Australia to manufacture the fuel.
MORE: Europe to ban petrol and diesel cars from 2035, but with concessions
Despite the European Union agreeing to the industry-wide proposals in February 2023, a vote that is considered a mere formality in the legislative process has been delayed, as Germany seeks clarification and assurances about how synthetic fuels will be used after 2035.
The original 36-page proposal only made one reference to synthetic fuels, but was unusually vague on details.
It’s understood factions within the German Government have also expressed concerns over the proposed ‘Euro 7’ laws, which would require a significant reduction in tailpipe emissions by 2025.
These regulations have been signalled by many manufacturers as making it no longer feasible to produce small and affordable petrol-powered city cars from the middle of the decade.
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