Germany finds several allies in demanding changes to combustion car ban in EU
Following a meeting amongst transport ministers from several EU countries on Monday, Germany has now formed an alliance with Italy and additional territories in Eastern Europe in opposing the commission’s proposed ban on combustion cars by 2035 until exemptions are added for vehicles propelled entirely by carbon-neutral e-fuels. The saga continues.
Throughout 2022, European Parliament, the commission, and EU members worked through months of negotiations before finally agreeing to enact a groundbreaking law to ban the sale of new combustion vehicles in the EU by 2035. By last October, the ban had been approved by the EU’s 27 member states, including Germany.
Last week, ahead of the final vote to formalize the combustion ban into law, Berlin and transport minister Volker Wissing suddenly broke from the pack, rescinding Germany’s vote of confidence, stating that further changes pertaining to e-fuels were required first.
Wissing argued that the guidance on the use of carbon-neutral fuels remained unclear, demanding exemptions for vehicles running entirely on e-fuels. German automakers like Porsche backed the sentiment from Germany’s pro-business government party led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. As a result, the EU Commission postponed the final vote as Germany’s blessing would be required.
At that time, we reported that Germany remained optimistic a deal could get done, as long as those inclusions of e-fuel vehicles were added. As of yesterday, the EU appeared poised to step up to the negotiation table, stating it would continue to postpone the final vote while it worked to add carbon-neutral fuel exemptions, although the what and the how remain unclear and could remain so for quite some time.
Following a meeting amongst several EU member states yesterday, Germany’s demands have been bolstered by several additional countries speaking out in favor of e-fuel exemptions, including Italy (home to Ferrari), another outspoken automaker deeming the combustion ban unfair in its current iteration.
Germany demands “urgent changes” to combustion ban
According to Automotive News Europe, transport ministers from Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia met on Monday to discuss what changes they’d like to see to the European Union’s 2035 combustion car ban.
Following the meeting, the German transport minister and now ringleader of the ban’s opposition, Volker Wissing, stated that the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, and others share Berlin’s concern about the combustion ban and the lack of necessary guidance for e-fuel vehicles. Wissing went on to say that, “the proposal needs changes urgently,” and the German government is in talks with Brussels to find a quick solution. Easier said than done.
As we reported yesterday, the length of time required to pass any revised regulations to the combustion ban in Brussels could carry into 2024, and there’s a chance member states won’t see another vote on the ban until after EU elections next year. That leaves the potential for current EU lawmakers to develop a revised ban, possibly leaving others tasked with bringing the ban to a final vote at a later date.
Wissing stated that Germany and its new alliance members want to see vehicles running on e-fuels alone, exempt from the combustion ban, which could offer an alternative to battery electric vehicles. Critics say that since e-fuels operate similarly to powering gas and diesel combustion cars, they are extremely inefficient and a waste of renewable energy. Other entities in the automotive segment worry the addition of e-fuel exemptions could also create regulatory uncertainty in the EU. Wissing spoke:
We do not want to stop things, nor do we want them to fail in the end. We want the regulation to succeed — we need climate neutrality — but we have to remain technology-open, anything else is not a good option for Europe.
The transport minister speaks on behalf of a country whose automotive industry currently employs over 800,000 people and contributes to the largest segment of its economy, gathering approximately $440 billion each year. Furthermore, German automakers Volkswagen and Porsche have invested money into the research and development of e-fuels as an alternative to BEVs. Fellow VW Group subsidiary Audi, on the other hand, has spoken out against the delayed vote, further expressing its commitment to going all-electric this decade.
Talks are ongoing between the pro-e-fuel alliance and the EU Commission, but the conversations could very well be tabled as parliament must regroup and seek approvals for any revisions to the combustion ban.
The year 2035 remains a crucial expiry on new combustion sales in Europe as the Union looks to reach zero emissions by 2050, based on the average lifespan of 15 years for new combustion vehicles. This story remains ongoing.
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Environment
CATL launches the world’s first LFP battery with 470+ miles range and 10-minute charging
The EV battery giant is unlocking more driving range and faster charging, but without the hefty price tag. CATL launched its new Shenxing Pro on Monday, the world’s first LFP battery with over 470 miles (558 km) WLTP driving range and ultra-fast charging in 10 minutes.
CATL launches world’s first LFP battery with more range
At the Munich Motor Show, the global leader in electric vehicle batteries made its presence known. CATL introduced its new Shenxing Pro, deeming it “the world’s first LFP battery to deliver a 758 km WLTP range.”
The extended driving range is only a piece of it, however. CATL’s new battery is safer and features a record-breaking 12-year, 1,000,000 km lifespan, all while promising to lower costs.
It’s also now the fastest-charging battery in Europe, with 12C peak charging speeds. In just 10 minutes, the new battery can add nearly 300 miles (478 km) WLTP range.
Even in frigid temperatures of –20°C (–4°F), CATL said its new battery can add over 250 miles (410 km) of driving range. When the battery is at a 20% state of charge (SOC), the Shenxing battery will deliver up to 830 kW, good for a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 2.5 secs.
CATL’s new LFP battery is built to last. After driving 200,000 km (125,000 miles), it only loses about 9% of its capacity. Plus, it’s covered by a 10-year/ 240,000 km warranty.
The new Shenxing battery is the first to use CATL’s new NP 3.0 (No Propagation) technology, which offers “the world’s best-in-class safety performance.” Featuring its new Wave Cells tech, CATL claims it’s also the world’s first LFP battery that allows cooling systems from any direction.
— CATL (@catl_official) September 8, 2025
“With uncompromised range, charging, and durability, Shenxing Pro is the ultimate solution for electric mobility in Europe,” Dr. Lingbo Zhu, CTO of CATL’s International Business Unit, said at the event.
The new battery is part of CATL’s aggressive push into Europe. It’s already partnered with over 200 carmakers globally and more than 1,000 European suppliers, but it’s looking to play a bigger role. From simply exporting batteries, CATL aims to build them “in Europe, for Europe” in the early days, and eventually “of Europe,” it said, in the near future.
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Ford just gave buyers what they have finally been asking for: More range without the higher price tag. The new 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX delivers just that.
The 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX packs more for less
The F-150 Lightning retook the title of America’s top-selling pickup from the Tesla Cybertruck earlier this year, widening its lead over the past few months.
For the 2026 model year, Ford is upping the ante and giving buyers what they want. Ford introduced a new STX trim for the 2026 F-150 Lightning lineup, a new entry-level model, but with more range.
The new variant replaces the current XLT model and brings some serious upgrades. Powered by dual electric motors, one on the front and the other mounted on the rear, the electric truck packs 536 horsepower (up from 452 hp in the outgoing XLT) and 775 lb-ft of torque. Not bad for an entry-level model.
It also features the larger, 123 kWh extended range battery, delivering an EPA-estimated 290 miles of range. That’s up from the 240 miles in the outgoing XLT model that used a 98 kWh battery pack.
Ford didn’t stop at that. It also raided the F-150 parts bin for some off-road upgrades. The new F-150 Lightning variant features off-road running boards from the Tremor, plus new wheels and all-terrain tires.
It still has the classic F-150 pickup look, but the STX gains a fresh new grille design and hood graphics to help it stand out.
On the inside, the new variant features STX embroidered seats and a standard heated steering wheel, you know, for those long Michigan winters (or anywhere nowadays, it seems).
You can choose from several new exterior color options, including Argon Blue, Marsh Gray, and a Ruby Red Metallic Clearcoat.
Despite the upgrades, the new STX model will still have an MSRP of $63,345, the same as the outgoing XLT. Ford expects the STX variant to be one of the top-selling Lightning models next year. It will begin arriving at Ford dealerships across the US in early 2026.
With the 2026 model arriving soon, Ford is offering a few deals on current Lightning models you might be interested in. The 2025 F-150 Lightning XLT is listed for lease starting at just $258 per month right now. You can use our link to find offers on the Ford F-150 Lightning near you (trusted affiliate link).
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Environment
The Volkswagen ID.Cross delivers the ‘secret sauce’ as an affordable, sleek electric SUV
Is the ID.Cross the low-cost SUV we’ve been waiting for? The Volkswagen ID.Cross debuted at the Munich Motor Show with the “secret sauce” as an affordable, stylish new electric SUV.
Meet the Volkswagen ID.Cross, an affordable electric SUV
Volkswagen is gearing up to unleash a new family of affordable electric vehicles, including the ID.Cross, ID.Polo, and an even smaller, entry-level EV model.
As the all-electric sibling to its best-selling T-Roc, the ID.Cross arrives as what could be the most important Volkswagen EV to date.
Volkswagen showcased a near-production ID.Cross concept at the Munich Motor Show on Monday, boasting the new electric SUV has that “secret sauce” with a stylish new design and perhaps, more importantly, an affordable price tag.
Andreas Mindt, Volkswagen’s design boss, said the new design is based on three cornerstones: stability, likeability, and what he calls the “secret sauce,” which will be showcased on every upcoming model.
Volkswagen pulled design elements from some of its most iconic nameplates, including the Golf and minibus, as part of the new look.
Measuring 4,161 mm long, 1,839 mm wide, and 1,588 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,601 mm, the Volkswagen ID.Cross is about the size of the current T-Cross. Mindt said the electric SUV appears to be “smiling” with new graphics and a 3D light signature.
Although it’s a smaller SUV, Volkswagen promises it’s still an “all-rounder” with more interior space than you’d expect, with 450 liters of boot space.
The interior is designed as “a feel-good oasis,” according to Volkswagen. It features a lounge-style layout with new materials and various modes, including light, sound, and climate modes.
Two display screens, a 13″ infotainment and an 11″ driver display, sit at the center. Like the VW Bus, you can fold the seats completely flat to give you an open interior space.
Powered by a new version of its MEB platform, Mindt said the improvements are key to offering electric vehicles with “above-average” features at an affordable price.
The drive system features a 208 hp (155 kW) front-mounted electric motor. Although Volkswagen has yet to reveal final battery specs, it claimed the ID.Cross concept has up to 420 km (260 miles) WLTP driving range.
Adventure-seekers will appreciate its 1,200 kg max trailer weight and a ball coupling strong enough to carry two e-bikes (75 kg).
Volkswagen will unveil the production version next summer. It will follow the ID.Polo, set to debut in the first half of 2026. Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but the new VW ID.Cross will sit below the ID.4, which starts at about €34,855 ($41,000) in Europe.
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