The chancellor said he planned to urge the European Union to back off a policy that has been widely interpreted as a ban on combustion engines after 2035.

In an interview, the German chancellor said he believes the ban is 'wrong,' as Germany's auto giants struggle to stay competitive against Chinese electric carmakers.

The chancellor said he planned to urge the European Union to back off a policy that has been widely interpreted as a ban on combustion engines after 2035.