The appetite for EVs in Europe has been held back in recent months by higher energy, living and borrowing costs, as well as lingering consumer concerns about charging infrastructure and battery range. The German government’s decision to end subsidies for electric cars in company fleets this month led to a 171% increase in new EV registrations in August compared to the previous year, according to Germany’s VDA auto lobby. 

Against that backdrop, Germany has led a months-long crusade to extend the use of internal combustion engines under the European Union’s climate plans through the use of so-called e-fuels.

Eoin Treacy's view

Running an economy on ideology is not best practice. I have to admit I never thought I would have to point that out. Governments pushing technology that would not survive on its own is not the best use of capital but can be justified if it going to meet a critical social need in future. The wrinkle in that way of thinking is how long do you have to keep supporting it before you admit it is not working. Apparently, we have not reached that point yet.