Germany to oppose EU fossil-fuel car ban

That means it would be impossible to sell combustion engine cars from then.

European Parliament lawmakers backed the proposals this month before negotiations with EU countries on the final law take place.

Speaking at an event hosted by Germany's BDI industry association, Lindner said there would continue to be niches for combustion engines so a ban was wrong and said the government would not agree to this European legislation.

Lindner, a member of the pro-business Free Democrats, which shares power with the Social Democrats and Greens, said Germany would still be a leading market for electric vehicles.