A legislative body representing the sixteen states of Germany has reportedly passed a resolution to ban internal combustion engines on European Union roads within the next 14 years.
The resolution, according to Spiegel Magazin, calls on the EU Commission to pass directives assuring that “latest in 2030, only zero-emission passenger vehicles will be approved” for use in the EU.
Reports out of Germany suggest that the resolution has “no legislative effect” on its own, but add that German regulations have traditionally shaped EU legislature.
While there’s certainly a long way to go before any banning of the internal combustion engine becomes official, this is nevertheless significant news, particularly when one considers just how heavily Germany’s economy relies on its auto industry.
Needless to say, we’ll be watching this one closely…
