The politicians of the EU have all but decided that the end of the internal combustion engine will be enforced.
Probably from 2035 onwards.
That's not too bad, the auto industry has long since adjusted to it and will get out sooner.
Or not?
The political requirement leaves no room for maneuver, openness to technology has been abolished, parliamentarians in Brussels know better than engineers and company managers what the industry should offer in the future: electric cars.
Because reality is mean, an example suggests itself.
An Opel Corsa with a petrol engine costs 20,000 euros.
Its electric counterpart 33,000 euros.
The difference may shrink, maybe later, maybe not at all.
Raw material prices are making batteries more and more expensive, if enough are available at all.
No crisis lasts forever, there have always been economies of scale, but there are great concerns as to whether the individual mobility that is indispensable for our society can remain affordable.
Of course, industry and politics have a devilish consensus on an ingenious solution, the additional price is simply subsidized away as much as possible, for many more years please.
The money for this is said to be raining down from the tower of the European Central Bank, but anyone who thinks such things are available for free went to school with milkmaids.
The taxpayer has to pay for the grants.
As is so often the case when the power of the market is undermined, he is the fool.
Charging stations for the home, the wall boxes, are no longer subsidized for a short time.
Since then, prices and delivery times have been falling.
That should be enough reminder that the state subsidy for electric cars should be abolished.
Then the registration statistics would bring to light what people really value the environmentally friendly electric car.