A few days after having exchanged for the first time with Karima Delli, MEP, member of the Group of the Greens and the European Free Alliance, and President of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, on the vote of the European Parliament dating from February 14 last acting thermal ban in Europe in 2035 in principle, we spoke to her again to discuss Germany’s position, which changes the situation somewhat.
You said during our previous interview that there was no more “going back possible”, that the ban on the sale of thermal cars in Europe from 2035 had been recorded. However, Germany has just backtracked. Are you surprised?
“We learned it a bit in a roundabout way. It was with some astonishment that we learned that the German government had decided to renege on its commitments concerning in particular the decision to ban the sale of new thermal vehicles in 2035. Because the agreement between Parliament and the Council in the negotiations was sealed from October 2022 so once the agreement was sealed, it was up to Parliament to validate the agreement and then to the Council. There, we can clearly see that there is a big ambiguity about Germany and the electric car. And that Germany kept changing its mind. »
“The changes of the German government follow exactly those of Volkswagen”
How did we get here ?
“The changes of the German government follow exactly those of Volkswagen. Remember, at the start of 2021, Volkswagen announced that it would go all out in electrics. And six months later, Berlin wants to ban all thermal cars in 2035. And there, in the summer of 2022, the boss of Volkswagen is fired. Six months later, we have a new boss at the head of Volkswagen and Berlin wants to reverse this ban. The Volkswagen boss failed to impose his massive electrification plan internally, which is why he was fired. And we have his successor who has somewhat tempered the ambitions of electrification. In short, what should be remembered is that Germany’s position is a reflection of the hesitations of the German automobile industry. It is not the builders who should decide on the agenda, it is the politicians and therefore Europe. The truth is that Germany is behind on electrification, unlike the French in particular, who are ready for 2030. We have a desire from our industry, which had undertaken to say perhaps even before 2035. Germany blocked with Italy, Poland and Bulgaria. It demands that the Commission be told to say “synthetic fuels must not be banned”. It is on this point that, in my opinion, we are walking on the head because at present, synthetic fuels, this sector is not established at European level. Except, except at the German level, where it is developing quite quickly. This is the first time in the history of Parliament that a country has called into question an agreement reached. »
If we understand correctly, Germany is not saying no to the all-electric policy in 2035, what it wants is for a door to be opened for synthetic fuels?
“Yes, but why are the Germans opening this door now. While we know very well that they defend their industry and their economic assets, and because they are the first synthetic fuels in Europe. While the other manufacturers are already on the thermal vehicle release roadmap. This is where it’s wrong. »
“I am waiting for Bruno Le Maire. I want to hear the voice of France saying ‘a vote is a vote’”
What is the next deadline?
“You have seen the position of Ursula von der Leyen who says that she is not going to come back to her copy. So we’re going to see what the “I’ve got you, you’ve got me by the goatee” will be. And that’s where I’m waiting for Bruno Le Maire, I want to hear the voice of France saying “a vote is a vote” and that the issue of decarbonization begins now. For what ? Because our competitors will not wait for us. I am speaking in particular of China and the United States. It is out of the question to question our consistency of climate objectives with the industrial roadmap. The industrial investment agenda, the agenda for this transition must be maintained. We don’t play with the climate, but above all we don’t play with the employees whom, tomorrow, we will have to support and ensure that they absolutely do not find themselves overnight like that head in the water because precisely we are in a globalized context. When we haven’t understood that we are in the big leagues, the international court, we don’t understand industrial policies at all. »
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