EU stands to prohibit the use of incinerators in company vehicle fleets, as per a warning issued by ZDK.
European Commission's Electric Vehicle Mandate Sparks Controversy
The European Commission is preparing a proposal that would require car rental companies and large corporations to purchase only electric vehicles (EVs) for their fleets starting in 2030. This policy aims to accelerate the EU's transition away from combustion engine vehicles ahead of the planned 2035 EU-wide ban on new combustion car sales.
The proposal, which targets a significant share of the new car market—about 60%—since fleet purchases by rental and corporate firms represent a major portion of new vehicle sales, has sparked controversy. The Central Association of the German Automotive Trade (ZDK), represented politically by figures like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has expressed strong opposition to this mandate.
Merz argues that the plan "completely misses the point of the current joint needs we have in Europe," emphasizing that such a strict EV mandate ignores practical and current market realities in Germany and the EU. Germany advocates for a more flexible, technology-neutral approach to reducing emissions, supporting alternatives like synthetic fuels and hydrogen alongside electrification.
The ZDK raises concerns about the readiness of the charging infrastructure, network stability, and electricity prices for a comprehensive electrification of vehicle fleets. ZDK President Thomas Peckruhn criticizes these plans as unrealistic and economically dangerous, fearing a significant loss of mobility and massive additional costs for businesses and consumers due to these plans.
Peckruhn believes that the path to climate-neutral mobility does not lead via political decrees, but via marketable innovations and a realistic pace. The ZDK fears a price increase for mobility services due to the plans and appeals to the federal government to speak out against a one-sided electric car obligation for car rental companies and corporate fleets in Brussels.
The ZDK's concerns about the potential contradiction between the plans and the position of the new German government remain unresolved, as the report about the plans is unconfirmed. However, if implemented, the plans could potentially contradict the position of the new German government, according to the ZDK.
In rural regions, small and medium-sized enterprises often rely on combustion engine vehicles in their fleets due to a lack of practical alternatives. The ZDK fears that decisions made in Brussels could be detached from the practical realities of these regions. The ZDK's warnings of significant loss of mobility and massive additional costs for businesses and consumers due to the plans remain unchanged.
The European Commission's proposal is part of a broader EU strategy to decarbonize the transport sector and meet climate commitments. The detailed text and enforcement mechanisms of the proposal remain unpublished as of now, with the proposal expected to be unveiled by the European Commission in summer 2025 and submitted for parliamentary approval.
[1] EU Proposal for Mandatory EV Purchase by Fleets [2] German Automotive Trade Association Opposes EU Electric Vehicle Mandate [3] ZDK Warns of Unrealistic EV Mandate and Economic Dangers [4] Germany Advocates for Flexible Approach to Emissions Reduction
[1] The European Commission's proposal for mandatory EV purchases by fleets aims to speed up the EU's transition to electric vehicles, targeting a significant share of the new car market.
[2] However, the Central Association of the German Automotive Trade (ZDK) has expressed strong opposition to this mandate, arguing that it misses the current market realities and ignores practical concerns.
[3] ZDK President Thomas Peckruhn criticizes the plans as unrealistic and economically dangerous, fearing a significant loss of mobility and massive additional costs for businesses and consumers due to the mandate.
[4] In response, Germany advocates for a more flexible, technology-neutral approach to reducing emissions, supporting alternatives like synthetic fuels and hydrogen alongside electrification in the industry.
