According to the will of the EU Parliament, there should be no more new cars with combustion engines from 2035. Ex-Transport Minister Scheuer is not enthusiastic about the idea. The ban does not come fast enough for the left.

The decision to ban the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines at EU level has met with criticism.

Former Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer told the German Press Agency that the EU Parliament was “probably preparing for the de-industrialization of the continent”. Openness to technology remains the solution for the climate, prosperity and jobs. “Combustion engines are modern and emission-free,” added the CSU member of the Bundestag. Incentives for clean fuels could now only be made possible by national governments.

A majority of MEPs in the European Parliament had voted in favor of manufacturers only being allowed to bring cars and vans onto the market from the middle of the next decade that do not emit any climate-damaging greenhouse gases. Before such a regulation can come into force, the parliament must come to an agreement with the EU states.

Left-wing transport politician Bernd Riexinger also criticized Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing’s reaction to the sales ban. The FDP politician had spoken out against the decision of the EU Parliament. «Instead of making a name for himself as a car minister, Minister Wissing should do his job as transport minister. The end of combustion engines for new registrations in 2035 is actually too late – everyone who is seriously interested in a traffic turnaround knows that,” said Riexinger. The left is therefore in favor of a ban on new registrations and exports of cars with combustion engines from 2030 at the latest.

According to surveys, however, the majority of the population rejects the planned ban on combustion engines. As reported by the television broadcaster Welt, citing a survey by the opinion research institute Civey, 57 percent think a ban is wrong. 35 percent of those surveyed, however, see it as the right decision. The YouGov Institute came to the conclusion that 51 percent reject the decision of the EU Parliament. 37 percent support the decision.