Environment minister says Germany lags behind in advancing e-mobility

Germany’s environment minister Barbara Hendricks says the country is lagging behind in developing electric mobility. “It’s no secret that Germany is no frontrunner when it comes to electric vehicles,” Hendricks said in a speech at the international conference Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue on Tuesday. Germany had taken “a very successful path” in terms of climate friendly power production over recent years, but it was “still in the early stages” of significantly curbing its emissions, with transportation being a main impediment in this regard. But she added that the energy transition caused “entire industries” to recalibrate, which was especially evident with German car manufacturers. “E-cars are becoming competitive,” the minister explained, saying that “the question no longer is if, but when alternative engines start to take over and the combustion engine ends up in the museum”.

For background, see the CLEW dossier The Energiewende and German carmakers.