Europe’s 2035 Engine Ban Debate: Germany’s Vague Exemptions

Germany’s Push for ‘High-Efficiency’ Combustion Engines Sparks EU Confusion

The debate over Europe's planned phase-out of internal combustion engines has taken a confusing turn. German officials are now pushing for exemptions to allow so-called high-efficiency models after 2035—but no one has clearly defined what that term actually means.

At a federal press conference on Monday, government representatives struggled to explain the concept, offering vague descriptions rather than technical specifics. The lack of clarity has left experts and industry observers questioning whether the proposal is a serious policy shift or merely political posturing.

The controversy began when Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) used the phrase high-efficiency combustion engines in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The term was later repeated by a government spokesperson, who described it as referring to drivetrains more climate-friendly than current models—but provided no concrete standards.

Transport researcher Andreas Knie suggested the label likely applies to hybrid vehicles, which combine combustion engines with electric power. He estimated that any exempted models would need to emit no more than 45 grams of CO₂ per kilometre, though no official threshold exists. Meanwhile, Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, head of the CAR-Center Automotive Research, dismissed the entire idea as old wine in new bottles, calling it a mix of politics and marketing rather than genuine innovation.

EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas attempted to clarify the situation by stating that upcoming regulations would remain technology-neutral, allowing for zero-emission fuels, advanced biofuels, and other low-emission solutions. However, critics argue that the German government’s push for exemptions risks undermining the EU’s broader climate goals. The original combustion engine ban was never an outright prohibition but a shift toward zero-emission mobility—something this new proposal could complicate.

During Monday’s press conference, officials repeatedly defined high-efficiency as simply meaning more efficient—without explaining how efficiency would be measured or enforced. The circular reasoning left journalists and analysts with more questions than answers, particularly as Berlin seeks EU approval for these undefined efficient engines post-2035.

The German government’s campaign to allow high-efficiency combustion engines after 2035 remains mired in ambiguity. Without clear technical criteria or emission limits, the proposal leaves automakers and policymakers in limbo. If hybrids are the intended beneficiaries, they would likely face a CO₂ cap of around 45 grams per kilometre. But until the EU or Berlin establishes firm rules, the debate will continue—leaving the future of combustion technology uncertain.