Berner pauses: Wessing thinks talks with the EU are on the right track

Germany’s transport minister, Volker Wessing, sees talks with the EU Commission on the controversial phasing out of combustion engines on track.

“We agreed that we have to achieve our climate protection targets, but that the issue of openness to technology is also an important factor,” the FDP politician said on Monday before continuing the ministerial retreat in Meseberg, north of Berlin, with a view to visiting Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. “Very. I can see we’re on the right track because we’re pursuing the same goals. Now all we need is an answer on how we’re doing it.”

An EU vote on the planned end of new combustion-engine cars from 2035 was delayed on Friday due to additional demands from Germany. Wessing said Germany could not agree to such a blanket ban on combustion engines at this time. The EU Commission must submit a proposal on how climate-neutral synthetic fuels, or so-called e-fuels, can be used in combustion engines after 2035.

Wissing said in the Meseberg that the time had passed and he would have preferred it to be used differently. But it is not something that needs to be completed in a week. “Now you have to carefully answer the question: How can openness to technology be embedded in regulation. Once that question has been clarified, we have reached our goal. My intention has not always been to hold back, but to ensure that we receive good regulation.” According to his conviction, this is only given if one is open to technology.