Overview
- At an EU environment ministers meeting in Luxembourg, the two governments filed a joint paper opposing treating hybrids as emissions‑free after 2035.
- They insist the bloc’s zero tailpipe‑emission objective for new cars in 2035 must not be reopened during the ongoing rule review.
- They propose conditional incentives linked to European value added, including super‑credits or minimum shares of EU‑made components for eligible vehicles.
- They cite a 2024 European Commission finding that plug‑in hybrids emit roughly 3.5 times more CO2 in real driving than in certification tests.
- Germany’s auto industry and Chancellor Friedrich Merz are pushing for carve‑outs for hybrids and e‑fuels, the VDA warns against Europe‑only content rules, and the Commission plans to present its review by year‑end before member state and Parliament negotiations.