As we previously reported, Germany’s Bundesrat voted recently to completely ban all internal-combustion engines in new vehicles produced after 2030. It’s an ambitious goal?one that German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt isn’t getting behind.
According to German wire service DPA, as translated by Forbes contributor Bertel Schmitt, Dobrint called the plan “utter nonsense.” Dobrindt, whose office would need to approve the proposal, said that “a complete end of the internal-combustion engine from 2030 on would be totally unrealistic.”
The plan was put forth in Germany’s Bundesrat, the country’s legislative body representing the 16 federal German states at the national level, and won support across the political spectrum. While the Bundesrat does not exert authority over the European Union, German government edicts have a strong influence on the EU and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. In other words, the Bundesrat’s vote to ban the sale of new internal-combustion engine vehicles after 2030 has no legislative teeth?it’s an ideological move. But Dobrindt still doesn’t sound like he’ll allow the bill to pass his desk.
And perhaps for good reason: The auto industry represents about 2.7 percent of Germany’s gross domestic product, with vehicles and vehicle components making up 20 percent of that nation’s exports.

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