Is the tide turning for the internal combustion engine? In Germany, things are starting to look that way. This is the country that invented the technology, but late last week, the Bundesrat (the federal council of all 16 German states) voted to ban gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2030.

It's a strong statement in a nation where the auto industry is one of the largest sectors of the economy; Germany produces more automobiles than any other country in Europe and is the third largest in the world. The resolution passed by the Bundesrat calls on the European Commission (the executive arm of the European Union) to "evaluate the recent tax and contribution practices of Member States on their effectiveness in promoting zero-emission mobility," which many are taking to mean an end to the lower levels of tax currently levied on diesel fuel across Europe.

Europe bet big on diesel, something that now seems increasingly misguided with continuing revelations about companies cheating their emissions tests and the growing awareness of the health implications of diesel particulates.

The resolution—which passed with support from both sides of the German political spectrum—is non-binding, so this isn't a sure thing, but it's evidence of a trend that has been gathering steam in Europe with increasingly tough emissions laws and moves by individual cities to restrict the use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

Whether German (and other European) automakers take this move lying down or lobby hard to fight it is as yet unclear. But the big three German car makers have all been making increasingly loud noises signaling a commitment to going electric.