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Germany holds emergency meeting to challenge EU Ban on combustion engines
The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, convened a crisis meeting on Thursday, October 9, bringing together key players from the automotive industry in an effort to lift the European Union’s planned ban on new combustion engine vehicles.
The meeting includes manufacturers, suppliers, trade unions, lobby groups, and regional leaders from Germany’s automotive heartlands. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said the goal was “to find solutions as quickly as possible to secure the future of this crucial industry.”
The German auto sector has lost over 50,000 jobs in a year out of roughly 800,000, according to EY. The crisis has hit major automakers such as Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, who struggle to compete with cheaper, high-quality Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) amid rising energy costs and 15% U.S. tariffs on European cars.
At the center of the debate is the EU’s plan to ban the sale of new combustion engines from 2035, a move intended to cut greenhouse gas emissions. However, German manufacturers are urging the EU to delay or soften the measure, arguing that the electric transition is slower than expected.
Friedrich Merz has called the 2035 ban “a mistake,” reigniting tensions within his coalition government. Reports suggest Brussels may propose a compromise allowing plug-in hybrids or range-extender vehicles to remain on the market beyond 2035.
Meanwhile, environmental groups such as Transport & Environment (T&E) are urging Germany to stay committed to its climate goals. Experts argue that the price gap between EVs and traditional cars has never been smaller, making the ban both feasible and necessary for Europe’s competitiveness.