Germany
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The 50 states that make up the U.S. don't get to set their own foreign policies (neither do Canadian provinces). But that doesn't necessarily prevent them from working with other countries on matters of mutual interest. And that's just what California is doing in an agreement announced this weekend that expands its efforts to battle climate change as the Trump Administration moves the U.S. decisively away from national efforts to do the same. DON'T MISS: Climate resistance grows; 3 states ally to flout Trump, commit to Paris accord German environment minister Barbara Hendricks said on...
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Mercedes denies CEO said it will turn away from hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (updated)
Large global automakers customarily pursue research into multiple types of technologies and future powertrains at the same time. Sometimes they pan out, sometimes they don't. German automakers have only really come around to devoting their efforts to plug-in electric cars in the last five or six...
John Voelcker -
Why electric bikes may deserve purchase incentives too
If plug-in electric cars and trucks receive purchase incentives from national and state governments, what about electric bicycles? That's just what a recent report from the European Cyclists Federation suggests. It recommends directing purchase incentives and infrastructure subsidies towards...
Green Car Reports -
European brands adopt electric delivery trucks: Harrods, Hermes
In the U.S., electric-car advocates and green energy fans have been dealt some setbacks during recent weeks. In Europe, however, the push toward electrification remains as strong--and trendy--as ever. Delivering on zero emissions In Germany, courier service Hermes (not to be confused with French...
Richard Read -
Germany, Austria electric-car charging networks improve, fast
Two adjacent European countries are stepping up efforts to improve their public electric-car charging infrastructure. Initiatives in Germany and Austria should see major improvements to charging networks in a short period of time, as both countries aggressively promote electric cars in an effort to...
Stephen Edelstein -
VW diesel probe finally reaches to top; former CEO Winterkorn investigated by German prosecutors
German prosecutors have extended a probe into Volkswagen's use of "defeat device" software in diesel cars to former CEO Martin Winterkorn. Winterkorn, who resigned shortly after the existence of VW "defeat device" software was revealed by the EPA, has said he had no knowledge of the...
Stephen Edelstein -
Government officials in Germany seeking to express national pride in their choice of vehicle have no shortage of options. The established German luxury brands offer many models that frequently serve in the capacity of official vehicle for an elected official. Indeed, given Germany's considerable investment in its auto industry, using a German car seems almost obligatory. DON'T MISS: German government worries carmakers vulnerable to electric-car onslaught (Dec 2016) But one environment minister thinks otherwise. Johannes Remmel—environment minister for the German state of North...
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Court orders full reimbursement for VW diesel owner in Germany
A lot has been said about Volkswagen's use of "defeat device" software in diesel cars to cheat on emissions tests, but a German court may win the prize for most-creative description. VW "defeat device" software is like putting horse meat in lasagna, three German judges decreed during a recent...
Stephen Edelstein -
Diesel owners in Germany who sue VW face significant hurdles
German Volkswagen diesel owners face more obstacles in securing compensation than U.S. owners.
Stephen Edelstein -
Germany may miss 2020 emission targets, government report shows
Germany may fall short of its carbon-emissions reduction targets for 2020.
Stephen Edelstein -
German government worries carmakers vulnerable to electric-car onslaught
The German government believes its car industry may fall behind in the race to build more electric cars.
Stephen Edelstein -
Emissions collusion between VW and German agency runs deep: magazine
As the Volkswagen diesel scandal lumbers onwards, German media outlets have often broken the latest news and revelations from deep inside VW Group. While the German auto giant had hoped at first to have the issue largely wrapped up by now, the scandal first publicly revealed in September 2015 shows...
John Voelcker -
The "Transparent Factory" that previously built the Volkswagen Phaeton luxury sedan will now build the e-Golf electric car.
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VW's home state calls diesel actions 'inexcusable' as scandal expands
Volkswagen faces criticism and an investigation in its home state.
Stephen Edelstein -
Germany 'reassured' after worries on Chinese electric-car mandates
Germany's economic minister that Chinese electric-car mandates would give an unfair advantage to Chinese automakers.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW ends contract of historian researching its WW2 past; questions remain
Volkswagen is under scrutiny after ending the contract of a prominent historian.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW 'annoyed' it won't get order for electric vans it didn't make
Suppose you're one of the world's three largest automakers. You don't offer a type of vehicle that a relatively small but highly visible customer in your home market wants. Do you have the right to be annoyed if that customer designs those vehicles itself? DON'T MISS: USPS picks AM General to help...
John Voelcker -
German upper house asks EU to ban new gas, diesel car sales by 2030
Last week, the German Federal Council adopted a bipartisan measure that would ban the sale of new vehicles with internal-combustion engines in the country after 2030. While its actions only apply within Germany, language in the measure asks the European Union to ensure that sales of such cars are...
John Voelcker -
As the old saying goes, you can identify the pioneers by the arrows in their backs. Being an early adopter of new technologies can be exciting, but it can also require adaptations to fit into its limitations. Just ask David Wenger, one German proponent and driver of a Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell, the small Mercedes hatchback powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. DON'T MISS: Mercedes-Benz GLC to offer world's first plug-in fuel-cell powertrain As the head of a 19-person firm involved in developing that car's powertrain, Wenger was one of the first Germans to lease the car for two years and use it...
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Wealthy nations on fossil-fuel subsidies: we'll end them...later
The G20 nations will not commit to a deadline for phasing out fossil-fuel subsidies.
Stephen Edelstein -
Which countries have plans for all new cars to be electric, and when?
Several countries have proposed ending sales of new gasoline and diesel cars.
Stephen Edelstein -
Has Germany's long love affair with diesels finally collapsed?
It's been 80 years since the first Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicle went into volume production. Over that time, German makers have developed, refined, and promoted the combustion-ignition engine as a more fuel-efficient method of powering personal vehicles. Followed by Volkswagen Group's various...
John Voelcker -
Blue Crude synthetic diesel fuel cuts carbon by 85 percent
A Norwegian company hopes to produce synthetic diesel fuel on a large scale.
Stephen Edelstein -
Germany's $1 billion electric-car incentive plan approved by cabinet: update
Germany will finally implement incentives for electric cars.
Stephen Edelstein