The Peculiar Discussion of Phasing Out Combustion Engines

Comment: The debate on the combustion engine off is bizarre

The debate surrounding the phasing out of combustion engines is taking a bizarre turn with the focus on e-fuels. However, e-fuels are not readily available in large numbers, and it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon. Despite this, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Association of the German Auto Industry (VDA) are pushing for combustion engines to be allowed for registration after December 31, 2034.

It’s unclear why they are fighting so vehemently for this, as there is no ban on combustion engines. Furthermore, a widespread misunderstanding needs to be cleared up – the internal combustion engine will not be banned in 2035. Rather, the aim is to not have the stock of cars with combustion engines continue to grow.

Using synthetic fuels, a combustion engine is less environmentally harmful to operate than fuel made from petroleum. Despite this, e-fuels have their own set of problems – noise, pollutants, and below-average efficiency in operation and production, whether synthetic or petroleum-based fuel is burned.

However, proponents of combustion engines argue that the improved CO₂ balance is enough reason to advocate for their use in new cars from 2035 onwards. A current survey by the ARD DeutschlandTrends shows that this argument resonates with a relevant part of the population.

On closer inspection, it quickly becomes clear that the hope for e-fuels to continue as before is in vain. E-fuels will not be available in large numbers in the foreseeable future, nor will they be so cheap that one can seriously assume that the stock could be used with them unchanged – not to mention additional new vehicles. Furthermore, the automotive industry has already decided not to offer any new cars with combustion engines before 2034.

The other side could sit back and relax and let the market regulate itself. Moreover, there is no need to worry as they can focus their efforts on other demands. It’s unlikely that new cars exclusively running on e-fuels will have much relevance to the market and environment from 2035 onwards.

Leave a Reply