German Chancellor Angela Merkel says her country is considering a ban on combustion-powered vehicles similar to those already proposed by France and the United Kingdom.
According to the Reuters news agency, Merkel made the comment in an interview with a German magazine following a three-week break from her campaign for re-election in Germany's upcoming election on September 24.
A ban on combustion vehicles in Germany could be a fatal blow to diesel power: that country was the birthplace of the engine technology, which took its name from inventor Rudolf Diesel, and for many years, German automakers were virtually the only ones who found success marketing diesels in North America.
In early July, France's new President Emanuel Macron announced a plan to outlaw the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2040, and Britain followed suit later in the month; both countries say their respective bans will go into effect in 2040. In her interview, Merkel did not say when she would like Germany's ban to come into force, but said she thought Britain and France had "the right approach."
But while France and UK say their proposals were driven by a desire to reduce air pollution and improve air quality, Merkel's plan for Germany seems focused more on deceptive automakers who marketed their diesel-powered vehicles as being cleaner-running than they really were, referencing the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal.
For now, however, Merkel said she has no plans to make significant changes to how Germany regulates diesel engines or their emissions: tax breaks for diesel cars will remain in force to recognize their favourable carbon dioxide emissions relative to gas engines, so that people who bought the cars in good faith will not be punished, putting the onus on car manufacturers to regain the trust of consumers.
