On Saturday, EU and German authorities announced a combustion engine accord, which the car industry has keenly monitored.
A notable environmental organization criticized the accord, which allows combustion engines beyond 2035.
The bloc and its largest economy had been at odds over the 2035 phaseout of CO2-emitting cars, but leaders recently signaled that they were close to a resolution.
Germany and portions of its powerful car industry needed reassurance that e-fuel-powered combustion engine cars could be marketed after the deadline.
“We have struck an agreement with Germany on the future use of e-fuels in automobiles,” tweeted EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans.
The late Friday deal gave German Transport Minister Volker Wissing “the way.”
He tweeted that vehicles with internal combustion engines can still be registered after 2035 using CO2-neutral fuels.
Sweden, the EU’s rotating presidency, said diplomats will vote on Monday to ratify the 2035 phaseout rule.
It would allow energy ministers to approve the proposal at a Brussels conference on Tuesday.
Greenpeace campaigner Benjamin Stephan called the accord a climate defeat.
“This nasty compromise hurts Europe and transport climate protection,” he added.
He argued it distracts automakers from efficient electromobility.
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