EU Calls for Immediate Reversal of ICE Policies by Mahle
In a surprising turn of events, automotive supply giant Mahle has called for European regulators to allow "green" internal combustion engine (ICE) technologies beyond the scheduled ban in 2035.
This call comes as the European Union and Germany recently agreed to extend the phase-out deadline, allowing ICE vehicles to remain in production if they exclusively use sustainable e-fuels like e-kerosene, e-methane, and e-methanol, which are carbon dioxide neutral and do not contribute net greenhouse gas emissions.
Mahle's CEO, Arnd Franz, emphasized the importance of renewable fuels, such as biofuels and synthetic fuels, in individual mobility and climate protection. He stressed that Mahle is committed to developing pure electric powertrains alongside its work with hybrid, range-extender engines, and ICE using sustainably produced fuels including ethanol.
This shift in policy marks a departure from the previous strict ban on ICE sales to a more flexible, sustainability-driven approach. The move is backed by industry calls for technological neutrality but faces skepticism regarding sustainable e-fuel availability and emissions efficacy compared to electric vehicles.
Franz highlighted the high decarbonization potential of renewable fuels has yet to be fully exploited on a commercial level. He called for renewable fuels in road traffic to rise to 30% by 2030 to meet climate goals.
Mahle will showcase its sustainable technologies aimed at reducing CO2 and road congestion at IAA Mobility in Munich in September. The company's CEO emphasized the need for technology neutrality in legislation to make rapid progress with climate protection and for the European automotive industry to continue to flourish in Europe.
The call from Mahle applies more pressure on the European Union to amend its intended policy to ban all sales of new vehicles with ICE components in their powertrains, such as hybrids, within the next 10 years. The technologies include a range extender to boost the range of BEVs, a compact thermal management module with an integrated heat pump, and ethanol-compatible engine components.
This evolving landscape illustrates a complex transition phase in Europe’s automotive regulation and climate strategy, with arguments for and against the continued use of ICE vehicles with sustainable fuels. While some environmental analyses favor full adoption of battery electric vehicles by 2035 to meet EU climate targets, industry stakeholders like Mahle argue that allowing green ICE technologies creates technological neutrality, enabling rapid progress in emissions reduction while accommodating varying consumer preferences and economic realities.
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- The development of powertrains for electric vehicles is a crucial aspect that Mahle is also focusing on alongside its work with hybrid, range-extender engines, and internal combustion engines (ICE) using sustainably produced fuels.
- In response to the extension of the phase-out deadline for ICE vehicles, Mahle is advocating for European regulators to consider allowing "green" ICE technologies beyond the scheduled ban in 2035, arguing for technological neutrality to make swift progress in emissions reduction.
