The combustion engine remains – the EU Parliament takes an important step – technological neutrality prevails
Strasbourg (OTS) – “This was a liberation for Europe and I expressly thank my colleagues from the Social Democratic (S&D) and Liberal (Renew) factions who resisted the pressure and voted with us”, says happily the ÖVP -MEP Barbara Thaler, vice- transport spokesperson for the European People’s Party, on the result of today’s vote on CO2 limits for trucks and buses in the European Parliament, where technological neutrality prevailed.
“With his position, Chancellor Karl Nehammer also has a strong ally at European level”, underlines Alexander Bernhuber, environmental spokesman for the ÖVP in the European Parliament.
Specifically, it concerns amendments 87 and 92, which were tabled by the European People’s Party (EPP) group. These define CO2-neutral fuels (amendment 87 on biofuels and e-fuels) and insert a new article 4-A (amendment 92). This stipulates that one year after the entry into force of the regulation, the Commission must present a methodology for the approval of trucks that run 100% on e-fuels or biofuels.
“These changes to the Commission’s proposal allow Europe to exploit the full potential of abandoning fossil fuels in a hassle-free way and, in addition, mobility continues to be more accessible than with a purely electric solution. This also means that the growing dependence on China can be more balanced”, says Barbara Thaler.
“It is now important to reach an agreement with Member States in this regard. As a logical next step, we can then repair the ban on combustion engines for automobiles under a new commission with the review in 2026. This is the beginning of the end of end for the combustion engine.” , concludes Bernhuber. (Final)
Questions and contact:
Barbara Thaler, European MEP, Tel.: +32-2-28-45218
[email protected]
Dipl.-Ing. Alexander Bernhuber, MEP, +32-2-28-45180
[email protected]
Helena Ringer, Executive Vice President of the Press Service, Tel.: +32-2-28-31184,
[email protected]