Phase-out of the combustion technology needs to be āinitiated in the short termā - CDU MP
British plans to ban the combustion engine in new cars by 2040 make it clear that a change in propulsion systems was needed, Christian Democratic transport politician and former state transport minister of North Rhine-Westphalia Oliver Wittke told Deutschlandfunk in an interview. āIt is unacceptable that an important European country gives the central impulse, as it leaves the European Union, while the automobile country as such lags behind. Of course, we must reach such an agreement [to ban the sale of diesel and petrol cars], if possible in coordination with our European partners. If 2040 as a date is adequate, we will have to debate,ā said Wittke.
Read the interview in German .
For background, read the Āé¶¹ĪŽĀė°ę factsheet The debate over an end to combustion engines in Germany and the Āé¶¹ĪŽĀė°ę article Reactions to allegations over German carmaker cartel.