The EU Commission is not only quick to learn in relation to the current geopolitical upheavals, but also in relation to the automotive industry. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her team are taking the right approach by granting EU car manufacturers more time to fulfil stricter CO2 emission limits for their vehicle fleets. The timeframe for the targets was already very ambitious. They were introduced at a time when Brussels was keen to rapidly drive forward electromobility with strict rules for the industry.

The zeitgeist is one thing, the realisation of political goals is another. The calculation was made without the most important people – namely the consumers. The demand for battery-powered cars across Europe is still relatively modest. The major breakthrough of e-technology has yet to materialise. Manufacturers are in a critical phase of transformation. The economic downturn is affecting them, sales and profit margins are under pressure. Volume manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Renault in particular are feeling the effects of this.

Elon Musk and Tesla are currently notably benefiting from the trade in emissions certificates, which serve to compensate for shortcomings in new car fleets. The eccentric entrepreneur, who supports US President Donald Trump, is currently mutating into a persona non grata in Western Europe.

Some are criticising von der Leyen for caving in to the powerful car lobby. In view of the unfavourable situation – Trump's resumed trade war and Washington's betrayal of Ukraine in the war against the aggressor Russia are the keywords – the EU decision in favour of the European car industry is instead characterised by common sense. Against this backdrop, the next step is probably not far off – the EU Commission postponing the 2035 deadline for selling new cars with conventional combustion engines. Pragmatism suits Brussels better than an ideological stance.