Sweden Hits Back at Merz Call to Lift EU Combustion Engine Ban

Sweden will oppose a push by Germany to water down the European Union’s 2035 deadline to effectively ban combustion engines in new vehicles, arguing that such a move would punish those carmakers that have made major investments in the green transition.

Ebba Busch, Sweden’s energy and industry minister, rebuffed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said last week that the EU should allow automotive technologies like range-extenders and hybrid vehicles after 2035, which runs counter to the bloc’s zero-emissions objective. She said that the EU should instead focus its efforts on combating unfair competition by Chinese EV manufacturers.