{
  "id": 15205532,
  "title": "Energie: Aus für Verbrenner-Aus könnte E20 an die Tankstelle bringen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/energie-aus-fur-verbrenner-aus-konnte-e20-an-die-tankstelle-bringen",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-17T13:22:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/energie-aus-fuer-verbrenner-aus-koennte-e20-an-die-tankstelle-bringen/100262982.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Fifteen years after the nationwide introduction of E10 fuel, the next step towards E20 could come soon, if Verkehrsminister Steffen Bilger has his way. Bilger has been advocating with his French counterpart for increasing the blending of biofuels, including the potential for E20 at petrol stations. The E5 and E10 labels indicate the maximum percentage of bioethanol in gasoline, with E20 representing a maximum blend of 20 percent. Bilger's initiative is tied to a recent Franco-German push against a strict ban on internal combustion engines by 2035. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously summarized the deal with Paris as \"the internal combustion engine ban is then a thing of the past.\" E20 is not entirely new, as it has been tested, according to the ADAC, in Mannheim. The fuel with up to 20 percent bioethanol blend is currently only being tested as part of a closed fleet trial, the ADAC reported in the summer. For petrol drivers to fill up with a fuel containing up to 20 percent bioethanol (Super E20), a modification of the quality standards for gasoline (DIN EN 228), which currently only allows for a maximum of 10 percent ethanol, would be necessary. The ADAC believes that vehicles already approved by manufacturers for E10 compatibility and equipped with modern fuel systems should be able to use E20 without any issues. Germany has been advocating for loosening the restrictions on combustion engine vehicles for some time. The EU's 2022 agreement among member states and the European Parliament foresees that new cars in the EU cannot emit harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) from 2035, otherwise facing penalties. The EU Commission proposed in December to continue allowing cars with internal combustion engines. The plan requires the approval of the European Parliament and the EU states. Without their consent, it would not come into force. Germany and the automotive industry had previously pushed for a relaxation of the originally agreed combustion engine ban. Now, Berlin and Paris have agreed on common proposals for the future of internal combustion engines and electric vehicles, allowing the automotive industry to continue selling new combustion engine and hybrid vehicles after 2035 without facing penalties. This agreement could potentially secure a majority in the EU Council. Bilger called a ban on combustion engines a mistake, stating that the federal government has delivered on its promise of correcting the previous course and increasing technological openness. Volkswagen, Germany's largest car manufacturer, described the joint position between Germany and France as a strong signal for Europe and its ability to act. \"The proposal from Berlin and Paris is a big one,\" said a VW spokesperson. \"France and Germany propose some useful flexibility in the CO2 fleet regulation.\" However, the VDA's president, Hildegard Müller, criticized that the German-French agreement still falls short in some key areas. She mentioned the specific characteristics of the commercial vehicle sector that were not taken into account in the EU Commission's or the German-French document. German Federal Minister for Transport, Robert Habeck, says that while loading options for electric vehicles are generally well established in Germany, they need to improve in other European countries to meet the ban on combustion engines. He mentioned that some countries are still lagging behind in building up their charging infrastructure.",
  "summary": "Vor 15 Jahren war die Aufregung groß, als E10-Kraftstoff an die Tankstellen kam. Geht es nach Verkehrsminister Bilger, könnte bald E20-Sprit kommen. Getestet wird er schon.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}