On July 22, an EU plan draft surfaced, mandating that car rental firms and major corporations must solely procure electric vehicles by 2030. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz swiftly criticized the proposal, contending that it could detrimentally impact the EU's automotive sector. Scholz emphasized that the draft disregarded the present realities and requirements of Europe, underscoring that the industry must not be jeopardized by premature technological mandates. He expressed his belief that Europe lacks the necessary openness, agility, and dynamism, and advocated that Germany, as a contributor to a quarter of the EU budget, has the right to play a pivotal role in shaping EU strategies.