Overview

• The chancellor said he will lobby the European Commission to scrap the rule that ends new CO2‑emitting car sales from 2035.
• He plans to raise the issue at next week’s EU summit in Copenhagen and has called a 9 October meeting with automaker leaders.
• Merz argued for technology openness, citing hybrids, range extenders and synthetic fuels as options for cutting emissions.
• Critics warn that weakening the ban could jeopardize climate goals and expose Germany to potential billion‑euro penalties for missing transport targets.
• A YouGov poll for DPA found 44% want the government to oppose the ban, 19% favor a delay and 24% support keeping the 2035 rule.