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EV policy costs billions: subsidies benefit Chinese manufacturers and cost jobs in Germany
Berlin and Brussels are witnessing the consequences of an electric vehicle policy that prioritized political targets over market viability. EU penalties for CO2 emissions starting in 2025, the phase-out of combustion engines from 2035, and the earlier goal of 15 million electric cars by 2030 drove billions in investment. Demand remains weak because many buyers…
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2025 Green Power Record: Consumers Pay Billions for Electricity at the Wrong Time
By 2025, Germany had achieved a high share of renewable energy in its electricity consumption, yet the energy transition is revealing its costliest weakness in day-to-day operations. The record for green electricity reflects only an annual balance, whereas generation and demand do not constantly align. Consequently, there were 573 hours of negative wholesale prices, 9.379…
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Pension reform: Funded pensions and later retirement affect millions of workers
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Commission on Old-Age Provision presented its recommendations in Berlin. The pension reform addresses rising pension expenditures, longer periods of drawing benefits, and a shrinking number of contributors. Proposed measures include a funded pension component, a higher retirement age after 2032, and the elimination of the option to retire at…
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VW plans to sell Everllence: Marine engine division considered the group’s crown jewel
From its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Volkswagen is pushing ahead with the sale of a majority stake in MAN Energy Solutions. Based in Augsburg, the company is part of the VW Group but manufactures large marine engines and energy technology rather than cars. The move is driven by a corporate restructuring necessitated by weakening automotive business…
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Confirmed: Deutsche Bahn cutting 6,200 jobs in freight division
The restructuring plan for DB Cargo is largely finalized. During the week of June 15, the management board and employee representatives concluded an agreement on the reconciliation of interests. This enables Deutsche Bahn’s freight division to move ahead with concrete plans for workforce reductions. DB Cargo presented the plan on February 19, 2026; it envisages…
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EU ban on Russian LNG hits Sefe: Brussels cuts off trade via third countries
Brussels is intensifying the phase-out of Russian gas; a European Commission directive will prohibit EU companies from trading Russian LNG with third countries starting in 2027. This EU ban follows the political rift with Moscow triggered by the attack on Ukraine. The move affects Berlin-based Sefe, TotalEnergies, and Naturgy, all of which hold long-term contracts…
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Heatwave pushes electricity price above 1,000 euros: Europe’s importing countries pushed to their limits
On the evening of Tuesday, June 23, 2026, electricity exchange prices in several European markets surged to extreme levels during a heatwave. Belgium saw a peak of €1,038.25 per megawatt-hour, while Germany reached €747.10. Prices in the Netherlands stood at €902.47, and Denmark hit €786.83. These spikes were driven by high demand for electricity for…
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Study: State’s energy crisis relief measures harm the climate
According to economic and climate researchers, government relief measures during energy crises should include incentives to save energy; instead, the federal government recently acted in a way that was “harmful to the climate” by cutting taxes on fossil fuels. In contrast, a more climate-friendly measure would be, for instance, lower electricity taxes, explained researchers from…
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TÜV to certify AI: Why testing superior systems hits its limits
The EU aims to exert greater control over artificial intelligence through the AI Act, while TÜV prepares testing procedures for high-risk systems. The new legal framework is set to mandate testing, documentation, and proof of compliance for providers. Companies will be required to certify AI systems that impact areas such as healthcare, transport, public administration,…
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After a good two and a half years: XXL wind turbine costing ten million euros is being dismantled
In Oberwiera, in the Zwickau district, a nearly new, massive wind turbine is set to be dismantled starting in July 2026 following complaints from local residents about persistent noise. The operator notified the environmental authority of the planned dismantling on June 16, 2026, as even replacing the gearbox failed to provide an adequate solution. The…
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Germany’s oldest shipyard closes: A piece of shipbuilding history comes to an end in Hamburg
Shipbuilding at the site of the former Sietas shipyard in Hamburg-Neuenfelde will come to an end on June 30, 2026. The final 17 shipbuilders are leaving the facility after years of operations were undermined by insolvencies, failed rescue attempts, and blocked sales efforts. As the shipyard is considered the oldest shipbuilding site in Germany, its…
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Undisturbed CASTOR transport shows: Germany is ready to resume nuclear power use
The final CASTOR transport carrying high-level radioactive waste from the reprocessing of German fuel elements arrived at the interim storage facility at the Brokdorf nuclear power plant around 10:17 p.m. on June 17. According to NDR, the seven containers arrived without incident. Only a few demonstrators accompanied the transport. The police chief in charge, Frank…
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China imposes export controls on ten US companies
China has imposed export controls on ten US companies in the defense and rare earth sectors. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated on Monday that the move was a response to the US designating a number of Chinese companies as supporters of the Chinese military—a move it described as “outrageous.” The measure is also intended…
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Electric cars lack real market advantage: State drives sales with subsidies
A critical analysis by our author Klaus Bastian Germany continues to drive electric car sales in 2026 through significant political subsidies. Grants, tax incentives, CO₂ regulations, and public charging programs are shifting the market in favor of electric propulsion. However, buyers and manufacturers are not reaping a clear economic benefit on a broad scale. High-income…
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For a long time, it seemed BMW was doing everything better—now the automotive crisis is reaching Bavaria, too
On June 16, 2026, BMW significantly lowered its annual forecast in Munich. The weak automotive market in China and the conflict in the Middle East are weighing on business. Consequently, the group expects lower delivery volumes and a sharp decline in profits. The operating margin in the automotive segment is now projected to reach only…