German Leaders want to Get Rid of Internal Combustion
The country where the internal combustion engine was invented might be one of the first to get rid of it. One of Germany’s most important legislative bodies; the Bundesrat, recommended that the Federal Republic scrap internal combustion technology by 2030.
The Bundesrat is the upper house of the German parliament composed of representatives of state governments. Its’ action last week was non-binding, Ars Technica reported. The action is important because it represents a paradigm shift in German thought
The Bundesrat also recommended that the European Commission; the administration of the European Union, pressure EU member states to rewrite their tax codes to discourage diesel and gasoline-burning vehicles. Currently many European states promote the use of diesel by charging lower taxes on that fuel.
The resolution had strong support from both the right and left of the German political spectrum. That indicates strong support; or at a least a lack of opposition, to getting rid of fossil-fuels among the German people.
That’s an interesting development because Germany is the country where the automobile was invented. It is also the home of the world’s oldest automaker; Mercedes-Benz, now part of Daimler (OTC: DDAIY).
Is Europe Turning against Fossil Fuels
Germany is the second European country to consider a ban on internal combustion engines. Political parties in Norway committed themselves to having all cars running on green energy by 2025, The Independent reported in July.
There have been a number of moves against fossil-fueled vehicles in other parts of Europe as well. The city of Paris has banned cars built before 1997 from its streets during the week, Ars Technica reported. Motorcycles and scooters built before 2000 will also be banned from Paris’s streets during the week.
Vehicles built before 1997 did not have to confirm to European emissions standards. That means they put out more pollution. An earlier ban barred trucks registered before October 2001 from Paris streets, in an effort to reduce diesel fumes.
The idea behind that is to limit horrific air pollution that has been plaguing the French capital in recent years. During March 2015, air pollution in the City of Lights was worse than Beijing’s. French officials hope that the newer vehicles will be less polluting than the older models.
The ban will be extended in 2020 so that only cars built before 2011 will be allowed. Drivers in Paris will also be forced to have their cars undergo air pollution testing; like that in Colorado. Owners of vehicles without a pollution sticker will be subject to a fine.
Another reason for the ban is to force working class people; who are most likely to drive old clunkers, to start using mass transit. The next logical step will be to ban the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines.
It looks as if the days of the internal combustion engine are number in Europe. One has to wonder if this movement will spread to the United States or Canada.
