EUโs green car push helps fuel political populists
Europe’s far-right parties are capitalizing on the public’s reluctance to change technologies.
Diesel
Hungaryโs foot-dragging on Russian oil crashes into reality
Budapest claims alternative supplies from Croatia are expensive and incapable of meeting its needs โย which experts and Zagreb dispute.
Zelenskyy vows harder, better, faster, stronger strikes on Russian oil facilities
Ukraine’s president also wants the EU to step up by unlocking Moscow’s frozen assets to help Kyiv.
France and Spain hit the brakes on 2035 diesel and petrol car ban, letter reveals
In a letter sent to EU leaders, Paris and Madrid state that the target must be kept, but ask for “made in Europe” incentives to help the struggling automotive industry.
Ukraine war briefing: Repairs begin in bid to restore power to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
UN watchdog says Russia and Ukraine have established special ceasefire zones to allow the repairs to be safely carried out. What we know on day 1,334Work has started to repair damaged power lines leading to Ukraineโs Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after a …
Local โceasefireโ area declared at Ukrainian nuclear plant for damage repairs
Without reliable external power, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power risks losing the cooling needed to keep its reactors stable.
Zelenskyy urges continued pressure on Russia amid strikes on Ukraine energy plants
Moscowโs defense ministry confirmed that Russian forces targeted oil and energy infrastructure.
VOLTAGE: Europeโs automotive superpower conflicted over demise of the combustion engine
In today’s edition: Petrol and diesel car ban, hand luggage, gas security, deforestation
US cuts off Serbiaโs Russia-owned oil and gas supplier
Belgrade had obtained an exemption from sanctions aimed at ending Moscowโs war effort.
Berlin fails to agree fate of petrol, diesel cars in overnight talks
Talks between the government, carmakers and unions in Berlin today could have major repercussions for EU policy
Ukraine war briefing: Shadow fleet is launchpad for Russian drones harassing Europe โ Zelenskyy
Tankers being used for โreconnaissance and sabotageโ, says Ukrainian president; drones hit faraway refinery in Siberia. What we know on day 1,323 Russia is using its illicit โshadow fleetโ of oil tankers for intelligence gathering and sabotage operatio…
Lawyer revolt disrupts multibillion-pound diesel lawsuit in London
Pogust Goodhead asks to step down as lead solicitor after staff departures and friction over hedge fund backer
Ukraine war briefing: โPolitical willโ needed to restore external power to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, UN watchdog says
Rafael Grossi says โsecurity situationโ around plant must improve for repairs to be carried out; French photojournalist Antoni Lallican killed by Russian drone strike. What we know on day 1,319See all our Ukraine war overageThe head of the UNโs nuclear…
Ukraine war briefing: Attack cutting power to Chornobyl nuclear plant a โglobal threatโ, says Zelenskyy
Emergency diesel generators brought online after Russia accused of shelling substation supplying power to scene of 1986 disaster. What we know on day 1,317See all our Ukraine war overage Continue reading…
Russian air strike caused blackout at Chernobyl nuclear plant
Ukraineโs Chernobyl and Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plants lost power on Wednesday after nearby Russian attacks, raising international safety concerns. Emergency diesel generators are keeping critical systems running while authorities warn o…
Russia accused of sabotaging last power line into Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Satellite images of damaged area show no sign of shelling that Moscow says prevents repairRussia has been accused of deliberately sabotaging the last remaining power line into the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, after satellite imagery of the damaged area …
5 things to watch for as EU leaders meet in Copenhagen
From building a โdrone wallโ on the EU’s eastern flank to bypassing Hungaryโs stonewalling of Ukraine, these are the blocโs most pressing priorities.
Zelenskyy sounds alarm over unprecedented power outage at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Ukrainian president says Russian shelling is preventing work to restore links to grid and that one of the plantโs diesel generators has failedSee all our Ukraine war coverageUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said the Russian-occupied Z…
EU unveils only scant details of made-in-Europe electric car plan
After a new strategic dialogue with the automotive sector, it remains unclear whether the European Commission will soften its 2035 ban on petrol and diesel cars
Kommission will Vorschlag zum Verbrenner-Aus vorlegen
Neben Vorschlag zum Verbrenner-Aus 2035 prรผft die Kommission eine Initiative fรผr gรผnstige E-Autos.
British carmakers left underwhelmed by UK-India trade deal
Accord means tariffs for UK petrol and diesel car manufacturers will fall to headline 10% rate only in 2031
Q&A: Europeโs chance to shape the future of global trade
The question isnโt whether globalization will continue, but who will lead it and on whatโฏterms, says BMWโs Frank Niederlรคnder. With geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in the world market on the rise, the EU has an opportunity to shape the global trade agenda โย if it gets out of its own way. โEurope had the ambition to [โฆ]
LโUE dรฉvoile ses rรจgles pour interdire le gaz russe pour de bon
La feuille de route obligerait les entreprises ร mettre fin ร leurs contrats ร long terme avec la Russie et ร dรฉclarer l’origine de leurs combustibles.
EU plans to squeeze out Russian gas with tough new rules
Plans for a 2027 phaseout would force companies to exit long-term contracts with Moscow and report the origins of their fuel.
Commission lobbies Commission over green jet fuel
Aviation lobbyists complain “industry declaration” was actually written by Brussels bureaucrats and promotes the Commission’s targets on sustainable fuels.
German auto lobby proposal sparks renewed debate on EU combustion engine ban
The group wants to allow automakers to continue selling some combustion engines after 2035.
German court convicts four ex-Volkswagen managers of fraud in emissions scandal
The German carmaker was accused in 2015 of rigging engine control software to let diesel-powered cars pass emissions tests.
German court sends VW execs to prison over Dieselgate scandal
Consequences continue to be meted out over the massive corporate wrongdoing.
Dry weather snuffs out steam on UK heritage railways
Unusually dry spring forces some operators to switch to diesel engines due to fire risk
Facing Trump tariff threat, Germanyโs new government bets big on boosting economy
Friedrich Merz’s new administration promises tax cuts, energy price reductions and a blitz of public-private investment funds.
โPissed offโ at Putin, Trump threatens Russian oil tariffs
The U.S. president threatens to blacklist companies trading with Russia if the Kremlin doesn’t agree a ceasefire.
North Sea oil tanker collision: What do we know?ย
A crew member is missing and the cargo ship that crashed into a tanker is still on fire. Police are questioning a man in his 50s.
Germanyโs coalition partners secure trade-off on agricultural diesel and minimum wage
But the Greens have criticised the agreement, saying the CDU and SPD “have nothing more to say about agriculture.”
Sustainable aviation fuel boss wants more EU regulations
Finland’s Neste blames the airlines for not keeping their promise to guarantee voluntary demand for sustainable aviation fuel.
Diesel connects with gen Z for denim brandโs revival
Milan fashion week show featured spraypainting by 7,000 graffiti artists โ and impossibly low bumster jeans Diesel is famous for denim, but not the run-of-the-mill jeans-and-a-jumper kind. Seven thousand graffiti artists spraypainted nearly 2 miles (3k…
Merz won the German election. Hereโs what it means for Europe.
POLITICO breaks down what the conservativesโ victory means for EU policy and cooperation โ from nuclear weapons to cannabis.
Ukraine hits key Russian oil refinery in massive drone attack
Russia’s defense ministry claimed it shot down 121 Ukrainian drones in 11 regions, including one over Moscow.
Trumpโs got a radioactive time bomb under Greenlandโs ice
The U.S. would inherit an environmental time bomb of its own making if it lays claim to the massive Arctic island.
Elon Musk stands to get even richer off this UK government plan
The billionaire Tesla owner might be feuding with Keir Starmerโs government, but he can expect a big payday thanks to one of Labourโs key schemes.
Czech-led push to delay CO2 price on diesel, petrol โwonโt solve problemsโ
“Instead of talking about a postponement, EU countries should finally get down to work and offer their citizens targeted support,” Liese said.
The post Czech-led push to delay CO2 price on diesel, petrol ‘wonโt solve problems’ appeared firs…
Europeโs economic apocalypse
Stagnation, flagging competitiveness, Donald Trump โ the continent is facing “an existential challenge.”
Oh Lord, donโt follow the Opinion in Mercedes-Benz: Advocate General Rantos proposes a retroactive interpretation of European type approval law which makes up to 200 Mio type approved motor vehicles in the EU illegal
Dr. Benedikt Wolfers, M.A. & Sebastian Lutz-Bachmann, LL.M.*
* Partners of the Law Firm Posser Spieth
Wolfers & Partners in Berlin.
Photo credit: Reinhold
Mรถller, via Wikimedia
Commons
In recent years,…
Delay CO2 price on gas and fuel past 2027, Czechia-led alliance urges
For transport fuels like diesel and petrol, increasing the price at the pump โis even more socially sensitive,โ reads a document from Czechia’s Petr Hladik (EPP).
The post Delay CO2 price on gas and fuel past 2027, Czechia-led alliance urges appeared f…
UK energy secretary to visit China in early 2025
The planned visit comes as the Labour government looks to renew relations with China.
Israel destroys targets across Syria as Russian vessels desert Tartus naval base
Moscow says it is taking the “necessary steps” to ensure the security of its military bases.
Exxon chief has climate warning for US Republicans
The oil giant takes a stance before the Trump administration sets its sights on gutting Bidenโs climate agenda.
Britons need greener travel options to meet net zero target
Government must take urgent steps to change UK travel behaviour if carbon dioxide reduction goals are to be metEurope-wide research has shown Britons are more willing than most Europeans to reduce their use of cars and aeroplanes โ an essential require…
Republican electric car attacks crash into Democratsโ closing message
In Michigan, New York, Montana and elsewhere, Republicans have seized on Biden administration electric vehicle policies.
Budget will be key to Barnierโs survival
The French prime minister understands the scale of the emergency heโs been confronted with โ and that it will determine the fate of his minority government.
Greta Thunberg blocks Brussels boulevard in fossil fuel protest
The EU’s energy taxation rules favor oil and gas despite efforts to reach net zero, experts say.
Putinโs war economy faces pain if Saudis sink global oil prices
A Saudi move to grab market share will squeeze the Kremlin’s finances, experts argue.
Italy, Germany join carmakers in call to rethink internal combustion engine ban
Rome and Berlin are siding with the European automotive industry in calling for the EU to relax CO2 emissions standards for cars as the bloc aims to end the sale of new petrol and diesel models by 2035.
Mission impossible : lโAllemagne tente de mettre fin aux droits de douane europรฉens sur les voitures รฉlectriques chinoises
LโAllemagne a une derniรจre chance de faire rejeter les droits de douane lors dโun vote des Etats membres. Mais atteindre la majoritรฉ de blocage requise semble hors de portรฉe. Et serait sans prรฉcรฉdent.
Mission Impossible: Germanyโs bid to kill EU duties on Chinese EVs
Germany has one last chance to overturn the tariffs at a vote by member countries. But getting the required blocking majority looks to be out of reach โ and would be without precedent.
At Milan Fashion Week, hope for hard times
Designers at Bottega Veneta, Diesel and Versace sought to give their clothes new meaning
West funding Putinโs soldiers with growing Russian fuel purchases, report warns
Countries opposed to Moscow are spending ever more on cheap fuel made from Russian oil, according to a new analysis shared with POLITICO.
RT running covert military supply operation for Russian forces, US says
The state-backed media outlet has been sending weapons to Russian units, including sniper rifles and suppressors, body armor, night vision equipment and drones, according to State.
The Hague becomes worldโs first city to ban fossil fuel-related ads
Legislation makes it illegal to advertise fossil fuel products and services with a high carbon footprintThe Hague has become the first city in the world to ban advertisements promoting fossil fuel products and climate-busting services.A law passed on T…
Volkswagen considers German plant closures to save billions in costs
Plans underline European carmakersโ problems in switching from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehiclesBusiness live โ latest updatesVolkswagen is considering shutting two German factories in what would be the carmakerโs first closures ever in its h…
Why energy is Israelโs weak spot
As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, keeping the lights on is becoming a national security priority.
Ukraine destroys Russian ferry and pummels airfields โ but struggles in Donetsk
โItโs a serious tragedy, folks. This is serious stuff,” said one Russian as Ukraine hammered a military airfield.
US aid is flowing to Ukraine again. Can it turn the tide of the war?
Ukraineโs morale is improving on two fronts โ at least for now.
Ukraine war briefing: First F-16 fighter jets arrive โ officials
Zelenskiy to China โ donโt mediate, โforceโ Russia to stop; president blames Russian gains on strike limits by western allies. What we know on day 890See all of our updates on the Ukraine warUkraine has received its first F-16 fighter jets, a US offici…
Slovakia will halt diesel supplies to Ukraine unless oil transit restored, PM says
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Monday (29 July) his country would halt diesel supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv fails to restore oil flows from Russian group Lukoil through its territory.
Youโve had two years: EU eyerolls at Hungaryโs request for help with Russian oil
After failing to reduce their reliance on Moscow for energy, Hungary and Slovakia now want help from Brussels.
Ukraine war briefing: Attack on Russian bases in Crimea
Command centre and ammunition depot hit, says Ukrainian defence source; Ukraineโs army confirms pullout from Urozhaine. What we know on day 877Ukrainian aerial and maritime drones struck Russian military targets on the illegally occupied Crimean penins…
Germanyโs transport minister faces pay-to-play allegations
A German car association allegedly offered industry and lobbyists time with Transport Minister Volker Wissing in return for payment, according to a report.
Labourโs top policy priorities
A deep dive into what Keir Starmer’s government will tackle in their first 100 days and then in their first year.
EU carbon market expansion to raise diesel prices
Motorists set to pay an extra 50 cents a litre from 2031, estimates show
Car industry warns EU leaders against reversing 2035 combustion engine ban
Ahead of the meeting of EU heads of states and governments on Thursday and Friday (27-28 June), car manufacturers, energy companies and environmental NGOs have issued an โurgentโ warning against revoking the EUโs 2035 de facto ban to sell new petrol an…
Italyโs Meloni denounces โideological madnessโ of EU ban on gas and diesel cars
Itโs part of a growing resistance to the 2035 measure.
Nobody even noticed the Toriesโ biggest legacy
Five years ago this week, in the teeth of the Brexit wars, an outgoing Tory prime minister was looking for a legacy. Theresa May settled on net zero โand now itโs on Labour to keep that target alive.
Ukraine is a dividing line in European election that centrists hope to exploit
With populists on the left and right winning support across Europe, moderates have found a single issue of their own to campaign onCampaigning in Europe comes easily to populists but less so to centrists. A single word printed in large letters โ โdiese…
UK election: Tory campaign policy positions, tracked
POLITICO keeps the receipts on what the Conservatives have said about policy in the general election campaign, from national service to the ‘triple lock plus.’
Safer, cleaner and more lucrative: The Good Move plan transforms Brusselsโ city center โ but remains politically divisive
New data shows the controversial regional plan to slash traffic appears to have been a success in the heart of the city, even as its future is in doubt.
How Turkey became Putinโs โpit stopโ for selling camouflaged fuel to the EU
Moscow bagged โฌ3 billion through a sanctions loophole that allows Turkey to relabel Russian gas and ship it to the EU.
Ukraine war briefing: Focus swings to Kharkiv as Russia mounts assaults
Villages come under heavy fire, prompting evacuations; Ukrainians hit more Russian-controlled oil refineries. What we know on day 808Russian forces launched an armoured ground attack on Friday near Ukraineโs second city of Kharkiv in the north-east, Da…
Why Elon Musk is right โ once-booming electric car sales are starting to stall
EV sales have plateaued economic headwinds and weaker state subsidies but the glut might just be a temporary rutElon Musk became the worldโs richest man by evangelising about electric cars โ and delivering them by the million. Yet in recent months his …
EUโs 2050 net zero goals at risk as EV rollout faces setbacks
By Julia Payne BRUSSELS, April 22 (Reuters) – The EU needs to rethink its policies to make a 2035 ban on new petrol car sales feasible as electric vehicles (EVs) remain unaffordable and alternative fuel options are not credible, the EU’s external audit…
Slovak government scrambles for arguments amid EU farm subsidy delay
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Commission giving its greenlight to Stockholm’s new diesel and petrol car-free zone, EU Home Affairs Commissoner Ylva Johansson getting wind of the heated Czech parliamentary debate on migrati…
EU Commission OKs Stockholmโs new petrol, diesel car-free zone
The European Commission has approved the creation of an environmental zone in the city centre of Stockholm, where petrol and diesel cars will be banned entirely from 2025.
New UK climate minister voted against key Tory green plan
Justin Tomlinson rebelled against government plans for phasing out diesel cars just four months ago.
EU should allow โclimate-friendlyโ fuel cars after 2035, says Germanyโs Lindner
โThe market should then decide what is economical and what consumers want, not politicians and civil servants,โ finance minister said.
‘Fuel tourism’ to NI could follow Irish duty move
Petrol increased by four cent per litre while diesel was raised by three cent per litre on Monday.
UK a โtax havenโ for polluting SUVs, says green thinktank
First-year vehicle excise duty is a fraction of that in countries such as France and the NetherlandsLow taxation on petrol SUVs in the UK compared with much of Europe is inviting a glut of large, polluting luxury cars, according to an analysis by a gre…
5 ways the EU could help end the war in Ukraine
Draining Putinโs coffers is possible โ if Brussels really wants to.
Only connecting with voters can stop Europeโs populist tide
There’s a growing backlash rooted in overall desperation, compounded by many votersโ perception that their grievances are being shrugged off.
EU Parliament set to vote on truck CO2 emissions after green light from committee
The European Parliamentโs environment committee has greenlit a new law to drastically reduce the number of newly sold diesel trucks in Europe, after a deal with Germany was struck between EU ambassadors last Friday (9 February).
Will hydrogen overtake batteries in the race for zero-emission cars?
In part six of our series exploring myths surrounding EVs, we weigh up what will be the power of the futureDo electric cars really produce fewer carbon emissions?Are electric cars too expensive?Hydrogen is a beguiling substance: the lightest element. W…
Italian farmers to cross the Rubicon with Rome blockade
Government fearmongering backfires as populist protest movements turn on Meloni.
Von der Leyen can delay, not avoid, climate showdown with farmers
The EUโs top executive makes concessions to punt a climate battle over farming to the next president โ which may be her.
EU eases farming demands in 2040 climate proposal
The EU executive dropped specific references to agriculture emissions cuts as farmers protest across Europe.
Fixing our broken food systems: The $10T question
“We have come to the end of the road,” leading climate economist warns.
European diesel prices squeezed by supply disruption fears
US production cuts add to Red Sea security concerns
French farmers prepare for lengthy showdown as they launch โsiege of Parisโ
New Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is scrambling to appease the agriculture sector as tractor protests escalate.
Germanyโs rude political awakening
The country’s domestic politics are becoming dysfunctional just when Berlin’s leadership on the world stage may be needed most.
French farmers plan โsiegeโ of Paris despite government concessions
Agriculture union leaders show no signs of backing down from escalating protests.
France drops plan to decrease farmersโ diesel discount but protests to continue
The French government dropped plans to gradually reduce state subsidies on agricultural diesel but that seems not enough for angry farmers surrounding Paris and still threatening to converge on the capital in their tractors.
France axes tractor fuel hike, cuts red tape to appease angry farmers
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is looking for a way out of his first political crisis as farmersโ protests spread across the country.
The empty boots of German farmers tell a story of hardship, fuel wars and far-right threat | Eva von Redecker
Rural protests draw on a populist playbook. But farmersโ legitimate grievances could be addressed with progressive policiesIn my local area in rural Brandenburg, every village signpost offers the same harrowing sight: a pair of wellingtons dangling fro…