Green Environment Minister Lemke announces approval of EU combustion engine off

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Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens): For the end of all combustion cars in 2035

Photo: Pool/Getty Images

Despite the public resistance of Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), Environment Minister Steffi Lemke wants to agree to the planned end of combustion cars in the EU Environment Committee on Tuesday.

"It is important to me that the federal government will support the Commission here in Luxembourg today with the goal that from 2035 no more cars will be registered that emit CO₂," said the Green politician in the ZDF morning show.

“That is the line that the federal government has represented here in the last few weeks and months, which is also laid down in the coalition agreement.” But it will make it clear that there are areas, for example with fire engines, where there are still no alternative fuels.

Has the coalition dispute been decided?

The negotiations in the environmental council are likely to be lengthy and last into the night.

"If the package then includes what the Commission proposed, no registration of cars that emit CO₂ after 2035, then we will agree," said Lemke.

On Monday there was still no agreed position in the federal government on the end of combustion engines.

Last week, Finance Minister Lindner threatened resistance within the federal government during an appearance at the BDI industry association, which would mean that Germany would have to abstain from a possible ban on internal combustion engines at European level.

This had caused resentment within the coalition - also because Lemke had announced almost at the same time as Lindner's appearance at another event that the German yes to the end of combustion engines would remain: "In March, the entire federal government agreed to accept the proposal from the EU To support the Commission in all forms and to only allow zero-emission vehicles from 2035," said Lemke at a congress on the mobility transition.