In the skin of information. What you need to know about thermal cars saved from the scrapyard

What if thermal cars ended up somewhere other than scrap? They are in the sights of MEPs. In June 2022, they voted for a historic text setting the target of zero CO2 emissions for new cars from 2035. These cars, which run on petrol or diesel, are responsible for 12% of gas emissions in Europe.

The final stamp was to be given this Tuesday, March 7, but Germany finally decided not to ratify the text. A historic turnaround on the most symbolic measure of the Green Deal, the European pact aiming for climate neutrality in 2050.

>> End of sales of thermal cars in 2035 in Europe: 4 questions on the development of electric vehicles

Internal disagreements in Germany

The thermal car is at the heart of the disagreements within the Green-Liberal coalition, in power in Germany, led by the man who is nicknamed “the Climate Chancellor“, Olaf Scholz. The latter, who has opposed environmentalists throughout his political career, seems today to listen more to the Liberals than to the Greens. Germany therefore assures that it will not vote for the text only on condition of leaving the door open to cars running on synthetic fuels.

Synthetic fuels or “e-fuels” are petroleum-free fuels, obtained with carbon captured in the atmosphere, for example, and hydrogen. Controversial fuels because of their very energy-intensive production, but also because they still emit so many atmospheric pollutants. Last December, the German manufacturer Porsche announced the opening of its pilot plant, dedicated to this type of fuel in Chile.

Today, these fuels, estimated at ten euros per litre, are at an impasse. But the important thing for Germany is to save the principle of the combustion engine. France remains on its position, but the French government admits that it no longer has any visibility on a possible date of ratification of the text.