Planned phase-out of combustion engines meets with resistance in Germany

The planned ban on the sale of new cars with combustion engines in the EU from 2035 is meeting with resistance in Germany.

According to a YouGov survey cited by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 44 percent of Germans are calling on the government to reject the ban, and 19 percent want it to be postponed. Only 24 percent support the current regulation.

The survey showed that 60 percent of respondents expect climate protection measures to lead to higher living costs, while 17 percent expect costs to fall.

Deutsche Welle emphasizes that the resistance is also linked to concerns about jobs in the automotive industry, which is of central importance to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The ban is set to stop the registration of gasoline and diesel cars from January 1, 2035, sparking debate across the region.

The opposition CDU/CSU is already pushing for a review of the decision.

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