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German Court Rejects Bid to Ban Combustion Cars After 2030

3/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

The German Federal Court of Justice dismissed environmental campaigners' bid to ban BMW and Mercedes-Benz from selling combustion-engine cars after 2030, stating emissions budgets for individual companies do not exist.
The plaintiffs argued continued sales would infringe younger generations' rights by exceeding carbon dioxide budgets.
Environmental Action Germany may appeal the decision.
The European Commission proposed weakening plans to phase out combustion-engine cars by 2035 under pressure from the carmaker lobby.

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Story summary

The German Federal Court of Justice dismissed environmental campaigners' bid to ban BMW and Mercedes-Benz from selling combustion-engine cars after 2030, stating emissions budgets for individual companies do not exist.
The plaintiffs argued continued sales would infringe younger generations' rights by exceeding carbon dioxide budgets.
Environmental Action Germany may appeal the decision.
The European Commission proposed weakening plans to phase out combustion-engine cars by 2035 under pressure from the carmaker lobby.