Combustion engine • Table.Briefings

Bundesumweltminister Carsten Schneider im Gespräch mit dem slowenischen Umweltstaatssekretär Uroš Vajgl.

March 18th, 2026

Carbon fleet limits: Germany expresses reservations

While Germany supports the planned reduction of carbon fleet limits to 90% by 2035, it remains skeptical of the European Commission’s industrial policy plans.

By Lukas Knigge

Bauminister Christian Bernreiter bei der Pressekonferenz nach der Sitzung des bayrischen Ministerrates in München Bayern.

News | Transport policy

January 6th, 2026

CO₂ fleet limits: Bavaria’s Minister for Transport calls for “improvements”

In an interview with Table.Briefings, Christian Bernreiter expresses his disappointment at the EU Commission’s proposals to weaken CO₂ fleet limits and phase out combustion engines. According to Bavaria’s Minister for Transport, this is no more than a blatant charade.

By Lukas Knigge

Feature | Combustion engine off

December 18th, 2025

Combustion engine phase-out: What the Commission’s proposals mean and what questions remain unanswered

The EU Commission has adopted a comprehensive Automotive Package. The CO₂ fleet regulation is to be relaxed, with some dubious compensation options. However, there are also new rules for climate-friendly company car fleets.

By Lukas Knigge and Markus Grabitz

Talk of the Town | Automotive

December 17th, 2025

CO₂ fleet regulation: Relief for manufacturers

The EU Commission has adopted a comprehensive car package. The CO₂ fleet regulation is to be relaxed. Each member state is to be given binding quotas for clean company car fleets in 2030 and 2035.

By Markus Grabitz and Lukas Knigge

News | Combustion engine off

December 11th, 2025

Combustion engine phase-out: Chancellery cannot define its own demands

In his letter to the EU Commission, Friedrich Merz has called for vehicles with “dual drive” to be allowed to be registered after 2035. However, when asked, the Chancellery was unable to answer what he meant by this.

By Malte Kreutzfeldt

Feature | Combustion engine off

December 2nd, 2025

Internal combustion engine phase-out: Why the German government is still split despite a purported agreement

Following a meeting of the coalition committee, the German Chancellor announced last week that they had agreed on a joint position on phasing out internal combustion engines. However, there are differing views within the coalition as to what the government is now demanding.

By Malte Kreutzfeldt

Feature | Automotive

November 25th, 2025

Local content requirements: How the EU wants to protect its car industry

The EU Commission has announced a comprehensive automotive package and the Industrial Accelerator Act for Dec. 10. The proposals are intended to safeguard Europe’s automotive industry with requirments for locally-sourced content.

By Markus Grabitz, Till Hoppe and János Allenbach-Ammann

Feature | Car industry

October 8th, 2025

Combustion engine phase-out: How the Commission’s proposal for CO2 regulation could turn out

Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for the revision of the CO2 fleet limits is unlikely to shake the targets for 2030 and 2035. However, she could propose instruments to make them more flexible so that the industry can meet the targets.

By Markus Grabitz

Markus Söder, Oliver Zipse, Friedrich Merz und Hildegard Müller bei der Eröffnung der IAA 2025 in München.

News | Combustion engine off

September 10th, 2025

Merz: 'Banning combustion engines is the wrong approach'

At the IAA, the chancellor is questioning the decision to phase out combustion engines from 2035 – and is thus seeking conflict with his coalition partner. Commission President von der Leyen is meeting with CEOs from the automotive industry on Friday.

By Lukas Knigge and Markus Grabitz

Mercedes-Plakat vor dem Eingang zur IAA München.

Feature | Combustion engine off

September 9th, 2025

End of the combustion engine: Car industry and CSU exert pressure

At the start of the IAA motor show, Mercedes boss Källenius and Bavaria's Minister President Söder are calling for the ban on new combustion engines to be weakened from 2035. The SPD is calling for better support for electric cars.

By Lukas Knigge, Julia Fiedler and Markus Grabitz