E-fuels and piston engines

    Europe's pioneering role in e-fuels

    Hydrogen and e-fuels need to be freed from energy levies, while taxes and charges on electricity should be lowered considerably. Here, Europe could exploit and expand its pole position with these much needed key technologies.

    Hydrogen and e-fuels need to be freed from energy levies, while taxes and charges on electricity should be lowered considerably. Here, Europe could exploit and expand its pole position with these much needed key technologies.

    Free e-fuels from energy taxation

    To help regenerative fuels achieve a breakthrough, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) is calling for a temporary market launch program to make the initial plants economically viable. In addition, hydrogen and electrofuels (e-fuels) have to be fully exempt from the energy tax under the EU directive, while taxes and levies on electricity should be significantly reduced.

    This is a common instrument, as the implementation of any new technology requires high investments at the beginning, but the market has to take off first. In this context, the effects of the anticipated positive feedback are huge. Germany is a global leader in the key technologies needed to generate e-fuels. The benefits are twofold: Firstly, for climate protection by way of importing CO₂-neutral fuels, and, secondly, in terms of industrial policy through the export of technology. This pole position must be exploited and expanded.

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