2025-10-09 20:06
publication
2025-10-09 20:06
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday spoke out against the introduction of a ban on registering new combustion cars in the EU by 2035. He promised help from the federal government for the German automotive industry, which is facing a crisis.
– There cannot be a hard cut-off by 2035, Merz said after a two-hour “automotive summit” in Berlin. In addition to politicians from the government coalition, it was attended by representatives of the industry, from manufacturers, through parts suppliers, to trade unions.
In his statement, Merz referred to the planned EU ban on registering new combustion cars, which is to come into force by 2035. This is not the final decision yet, the automotive industry is against it.
To support the automotive industry, the pride of the German economy, the federal government has committed to introducing new incentives for the purchase of electric cars or “switching” from combustion cars to zero-emission ones. The subsidies will mainly apply to Germans with low incomes. By 2029, the value of the program is to reach EUR 3 billion, but the details of the plan have not been presented.
Government representatives in Berlin emphasize that the shift towards electromobility cannot be questioned, but greater regulatory flexibility and a smoother transition period for the industry should be ensured. – We don't want to beat our heads against the wall. There is a need for pragmatism, said German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil.
As Merz emphasized, there is a “strategic interest” in maintaining a competitive car industry in Germany.
According to data presented by the dpa agency, the German automotive industry employs 770,000. people and records an annual turnover of EUR 540 billion. The industry is not in the best condition, it is struggling with, among others: with sales declines, growing competition from China, EU carbon dioxide reduction requirements and US tariffs.
This year, less than every fifth new car registered in Germany is electric. Until July, there were nearly 2 million electric cars on German streets, which is only 3.7 percent. all vehicles.
From Berlin Mateusz Obremski (PAP)
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