Germany Advocates for Flexibility in EU Vehicle Emission Limits to Boost Auto Industry

Published: Apr 14, 2026 09:01

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Germany was stepping up efforts to push for greater flexibility in the EU on vehicle emission limits. This was part of the effort by the ruling coalition under Chancellor Merz to revitalize Germany's struggling automotive industry. After the latest round of regular coalition talks held in Berlin on Sunday evening local time, Merz stated that his government would work in EU negotiations to ensure that excess emissions beyond the over 90% reduction target would not need to be fully offset after 2035. According to a coalition policy document distributed in Berlin on Monday, vehicles powered entirely by renewable fuels, including "advanced biofuels," should immediately be classified as zero-emission, and the government also rejected the EU's proposed mandatory requirements to increase the proportion of EVs in enterprise fleets. Merz told reporters, "These key technologies must never face a cliff-edge termination.

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