German politicians seek delay of EU gas car phase‑out as EVs remain greener

Berlin’s leading politicians have urged the European Union to postpone its scheduled phase‑out of gasoline‑powered cars, arguing that the environmental impact of a vehicle should be assessed over its entire life cycle rather than solely on tailpipe emissions. The request comes as the EU prepares to enforce a ban on the registration of new internal‑combustion‑engine models from 2035, a cornerstone of the bloc’s climate‑reduction strategy.

Analysts note that while the production of electric‑vehicle batteries and the current electricity mix do generate upfront emissions, comprehensive lifecycle assessments still show electric cars emitting fewer greenhouse gases than their fossil‑fuel counterparts over typical usage periods. The German call for a delay reflects concerns about supply‑chain constraints and the need for a greener power grid, but the broader data set continues to support the EU’s timetable as the most effective pathway to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate targets.