EU Allows Synthetic Fuels Post-2035

Compromise Made on ICE Ban in Germany

Germany and the European Union have come to an agreement regarding the proposed prohibition of motorcars powered by combustion units starting from 2035, as per Reuters. Car makers can still sell products provided with conventional ICEs, but they must now be based on e-fuel technology.

Germany and Italy, both with expansive automobile industries, pushed back against the recommendation to initiate a complete phasing out of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) cars by 2035. In order to reach a mediation, the European Commission consented to create a novel class of vehicles that could only function on Electricity-based Fuels. A poll taking place in Brussels on Tuesday, March 28th will be the succeeding event in this procedure.

European vehicles running on e-fuel must include a technology to preclude the implementation of petrol and diesel. Presently, there are no specifics about how to practically implement this for car manufacturers.

E-fuel is created via a technique that involves taking up carbon dioxide and forming hydrogen from renewable energy sources. Upon combustion, it is carbon neutral since the CO2 reverts back to the air.

However, e-fuel still remains inaccessible in significant quantities. To ensure development in this technology, Porsche has committed to investing in it. As for starters, the firm’s plant in Chile envisions producing 34,342 gallons annually in a test phase. With expectations of augmenting up to 145 million gallons each year, even such amount would be too small comparing to what is used every year in United States–amounting to 134.83 billion gallons in 2021.

“It’s no secret that some fuels are less efficient than others,” stated VW Group CEO Oliver Blume. “However, if these fuels are produced in parts of the world where sustainable energy is abundant, then this argument loses its relevance.”

In October 2022, the European Union proclaimed the pact to phase out Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) motor cars, by sanctioning only fresh vehicles. Manufacturers churning out 1000 or fewer motorcars per annum were not bound by this edict. The transportation ministers of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Germany declined to validate the action plan, leading to a reconciliatory resolution.

Sources: Reuters, Reuters