2035 Cars Law At EU Summit: Merz To Push For Hybrids Which Can Emit As Much As SUVs - CleanTechnica

At the upcoming EU summit, German Chancellor Friederich Merz plans to advocate for a loophole allowing the continued sale of "extended range" electric vehicles (EREVs) beyond the bloc’s 2035 ban on combustion engine cars. EREVs operate solely on battery power until depleted, after which an internal combustion engine charges the battery and powers the vehicle. However, analysis by the green group Transport & Environment (T&E) reveals that when running on the engine, EREVs emit carbon dioxide at levels comparable to petrol SUVs, consuming around 6.7 liters of fuel per 100 km—similar to plug-in hybrids and worse than some petrol SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan. Due to their large fuel tanks and average electric range of 184 km, drivers have little incentive to charge frequently, leading to significant emissions. China currently dominates the EREV market, with 23 models officially tested for fuel consumption, while Europe has only two models available and limited expertise in the technology. T