{
  "id": 12509728,
  "title": "EU: Germany and France want to further relax the combustion engine ban",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/eu-deutschland-und-frankreich-wollen-das-verbrenner-aus-weiter-lockern",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-07T00:59:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/eu-deutschland-und-frankreich-wollen-das-verbrenner-aus-weiter-lockern/100256426.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed on a joint position to weaken the EU-wide ban on combustion engines. The ban, set to take effect in 2035, currently requires new vehicles to have zero CO2 emissions, effectively outlawing combustion engines. Merz and Macron's plan would go further than a proposal by the EU Commission, which suggests a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2035, allowing for some combustion engine sales with offsets. The German and French leaders are pushing for a further 10% relaxation of the rules without compensation, potentially allowing for an 80% reduction in emissions.",
  "summary": "Merz and Macron agree on a deal for the automotive industry: France accommodates Germany on the combustion engine phase-out. In return, Germany gives in on \"Buy European\" requirements.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "A softer EU ban on combustion engines would give automakers more leeway to sell more polluting vehicles, benefiting German and French manufacturers at the expense of stricter climate goals.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}