EU, Germany edge towards solution on combustion engine row – Reuters
BRUSSELS, March 23 (Reuters) - Germany and the European Union are on a good path to solve a row over the bloc's planned 2035 phaseout of CO2-emitting cars, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on his arrival to an EU summit on Thursday.
The official summit agenda covers a broad range of issues from migration to sending ammunition to Ukraine, but last-minute opposition from Germany to one of Europe's biggest climate change policies is looming over the talks.
"If I understand correctly the talks between the Commission and the German government... everything is on a good path," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on his arrival to the summit.
Scholz did not specify when he expects a deal to be reached. Some leaders and EU officials suggested it would be a matter of days.
"I think we can get there, not today or tomorrow but over the coming days," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.
The car CO2 law is not on the summit's official agenda, nor is it mentioned in leaders' draft conclusions for the meeting - suggesting leaders will not attempt to take any decisions on the matter.
"We can talk about anything, but we have the [EU policymaking] institutions and we cannot be responsible for everything," Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said.
Last-minute opposition from Germany's transport ministry has blocked the EU's law to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars in 2035, despite EU countries and lawmakers already agreeing a deal on it last year.
The dispute has raised concerns among some EU officials that political deals on other major laws could unravel.
"We have chosen a clear path to phase out CO2 emissions from cars, this is not the moment to waiver," said Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
The EU law is expected to make it impossible to sell new combustion engine cars in the EU after 2035. Germany's Transport Ministry wants assurances that new combustion engine cars can be sold beyond that date if they run on e-fuels - a request supported by parts of Germany's powerful car industry.
The Ministry and the European Commission, which drafts EU laws, are in talks. A draft EU Commission proposal, seen by Reuters this week, suggested allowing carmakers to register sales in a new type of vehicle category, for cars that can only run on carbon neutral fuels.
On the second day of the summit on Friday, EU heads of state and government will discuss a reform of the EU electricity market.
The European Commission proposed the reforms last week to attempt to avoid severe price spikes such as those experienced last year after Russia cut gas supplies to Europe.
A draft of the EU summit conclusions, seen by Reuters, showed leaders may agree to fast-track the power reforms to agree a deal with the European Parliament by the end of this year.
The draft also urged companies to take part in the EU's planned scheme to jointly buy gas, as it prepares for next winter with scarce Russian supplies.
Greece will also pitch an idea for an EU fund to "supercharge" investments in power grids, to speed the shift to clean energy and improve energy security, according to a document seen by Reuters.
Reporting by Kate Abnett, Philip Blenkinsop, Sabine Siebold, Bart Meijer; editing by Barbara Lewis and Benoit Van Overstraeten
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Here is the original post:
EU, Germany edge towards solution on combustion engine row - Reuters
- Orban Loss May Ease Hungarys Tensions with European Union - The New York Times - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Statement by President von der Leyen on the impact of the situation in the Middle East on the European Union - European Commission - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Europe should fill the diplomatic vacuum on Iran - European Union Institute for Security Studies | - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- European Union support for the UN more vital than ever, Security Council hears - Welcome to the United Nations - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Critical News & Insights on European Politics, Economy, Foreign Affairs, Business & Technology - europeansting.com European Union support for... - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- The Dirty Triangle: Netanyahu, Orbn, and the European Union - TheWire.in - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Armenia and former Soviet Republics to Choose between European Union and EAEU/Eurasia Union - Pressenza - International Press Agency - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- United States Joins Australia And European Union Countries in Facing Stranding Issues Due to UKs New Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Rules -... - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- Nearly 60% of Canadians support becoming a full member of the European Union, poll says - The Globe and Mail - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- European Union Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Barriers Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- CNN highlights Hungarys European Union-funded roundabout that goes to nowhere - Daily News Hungary - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- European Union Stresses Importance of Diplomacy in Resolving Outstanding Issues in Middle East - www.saba.ye - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- Kremlin: European Union countries will create their own defense alliance - www.saba.ye - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- Why dont NATO and the European Union acknowledge slavery as the gravest crime? - heraldonline.co.zw - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- The European Union is fully introducing the EES System - Sarajevo Times - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- European Union Micro Ultrasound Systems Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- The US ambassador to the European Union, Andrew Puzder, said the bloc's push for tech sovereignty should not focus on making others 'less competitive'... - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Interview of the Ambassador of the European Union to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, for Euronews - EEAS - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- Donald Trump Jr. criticizes the European Union during a trip to Bosnia - KSAT - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- European Union Non-Contact Forehead Thermometers Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- European Union Chest Drainage Catheters And Units Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- European Union Fixed Curve Diagnostic Catheters Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- European Union Intracranial Stenosis Stents Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- The weak point: Why pharmaceutical security belongs at the heart of European defence - European Union Institute for Security Studies | - April 10th, 2026 [April 10th, 2026]
- BD Delivers NextGeneration TIPS Innovation to Advance Portal Hypertension Care Across the European Union - PR Newswire - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- European Union Struts Implants Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- European Union Intravascular Stents Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- European Union Cardiac Catheters Guidewires Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Donald Trump Jr. criticizes the European Union during a trip to Bosnia - Yahoo - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Donald Trump Jr. criticizes the European Union during a trip to Bosnia - AP News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- UK Joins United States, Canada, Australia, European Union and India for ETA Fee Increase and Rising Travel Costs Alert : Everything You Need To Know... - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Hungarys Orbn has long annoyed the European Union. Now some hope he faces defeat - AP News - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Hungarys Orbn has long annoyed the European Union. Now some hope he faces defeat - Los Angeles Times - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Canada in the European Union? Poll suggests broad openness to the idea - Yahoo! Finance Canada - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Armenia And Former Soviet Republics To Choose Between European Union And EAEU/Eurasia Union Analysis - Eurasia Review - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Fmc Secures Approval For Isoflex Active In The European Union, Addressing A Critical Gap In The European Herbicide Market - TradingView - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- The European Union has begun to prepare for the crisis and austerity - - - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Israel: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the approval of the Death Penalty Bill by the Israeli Parliament -... - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Canada in the European Union? Poll suggests broad openness to the idea - CTV News - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Will Canada find its future with the European Union? - Winnipeg Sun - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- European Union Cell-Culture Matrix Products Market 2026 Analysis and Forecast to 2035 - IndexBox - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Canada in the European Union? Poll suggests broad openness to the idea - Toronto Star - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Turkey Joins European Union and United States to Boost Economic Resilience with a Credit Guarantee, Aimed at Supporting Tourism and Exports Amid... - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Canada in the European Union? Poll suggests broad openness to the idea - Winnipeg Sun - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Canada in the European Union? Poll suggests broad openness to the idea - The Spec - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- The European Union and Australia sign a Security and Defence Partnership - EEAS - March 24th, 2026 [March 24th, 2026]
- The European Union is facing its biggest espionage scandal since the Cold War - Atalayar - March 24th, 2026 [March 24th, 2026]
- EU Inc. making business easier in the European Union - European Commission - March 24th, 2026 [March 24th, 2026]
- European Union Pavilion Showcasing Excellence of EU Food and Beverages at FHA 2026 - Caledonian Record - March 24th, 2026 [March 24th, 2026]
- European Union and Australia agree on text of free trade pact and announce a new defense partnership - Ottumwa Courier - March 24th, 2026 [March 24th, 2026]
- European Union and Australia agree on text of free trade pact and announce a new defense partnership - Caledonian Record - March 24th, 2026 [March 24th, 2026]
- European Union and Australia agree on text of free trade pact and announce a new defense partnership - Richmond Register - March 24th, 2026 [March 24th, 2026]
- Australia, European Union agree sweeping new trade pact 8 years in the works - Dawn - March 24th, 2026 [March 24th, 2026]
- European companies tell European Union what American tech companies have been trying to: We are not truly - The Times of India - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- The Delegation of the European Union to Trkiye and the Embassy of Sweden Focus on Care Policies and Womens Economic Participation - EEAS - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- European Union wants Strait of Hormuz open, but some members vow not to join Iran war - whas11.com - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- The European Union is interested in intelligent border management of the South Caucasus together with Azerbaijan - Aze.Media - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- The European Union is interested in intelligent border management of the South Caucasus together with Azerbaijan - EU Reporter - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- France's ecological transition minister Monique Barbut said the European Union should take a firmer stance against climate inaction and favour a 'more... - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- The European Union will always be a reliable partner, a defender of the rules-based international order, and upholder of the United Nations Charter.... - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- How close is Ukraine from joining the European Union? - EU NEIGHBOURS east - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- European Union to begin negotiations on simplifying fisheries statistics - SeafoodSource - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- The Union, the Star and the Eagle: EU-NATO cooperation under Trump 2.0 - European Union Institute for Security Studies | - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- The Singular Threat of Lone Actors in the European Union - Small Wars Journal - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- 'European Union needs a bit of a revolution: There is no European strategy or foreign policy' - France 24 - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Opinion: Pashinyan is right Armenias path to the European Union will become harder if Georgia remains in its current state - JAMnews - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- DroneShield to make C-UAS systems in the European Union - Unmanned airspace - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Russia very likely to pre-emptively terminate gas sales to European Union ahead of Brussels ban, exploiting energy crisis caused by Iran conflict -... - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Council of Europe and European Union join forces to strengthen womens health and equality in sport - coe.int - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Beyond summits: The Africa-EU partnership as a priority - European Union Institute for Security Studies | - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- How the European Union Supports the Fight Against Corruption in Ukraine - EEAS - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Iceland to Vote in August on Talks With European Union - Bloomberg.com - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Anticipatory effects of corporate tax shaming: evidence from the European Union - IFS | Institute for Fiscal Studies - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- European Union's Spades and Shovels Market Forecast Shows Steady Growth With a 19% Volume CAGR - IndexBox - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- European Union's Argon Market Forecast to Expand With a +1.6% CAGR Through 2035 - IndexBox - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- European Union's Anchovy Market Forecasts Steady Growth With 04% Volume CAGR Through 2035 - IndexBox - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- European Union's Vegetable Tanning Extracts Market Set for Modest Growth to 63K Tons and $282M - IndexBox - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- European Union's Expanded Metal Market to Reach 185K Tons and $581M by 2035 - IndexBox - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Stop Killing Games is launching NGOs in the European Union and the US: 'We're not just going away on this' - PC Gamer - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- The European Union and Nigeria launch first Peace, Security and Defence Dialogue and agree to enhance collaboration - EEAS - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]