Oliver Zipse has strongly criticized the ban on the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035, which leaves no alternative but 100% electric cars. The BMW CEO openly states that "the current system is a disaster" and believes that it threatens the European car industry by destroying any opportunity for investment.
Zipse is confident that there will be a change in 2028 and that the current EU regulations on CO2 emissions will not remain in force. According to him, the internal combustion engine will have a longer life than the EU promised. BMW remains committed to its goal of being CO2 neutral by 2050, but Zipse stresses that this can be achieved more efficiently in other ways.
E-fuels, hydrogen and the energy grid
The BMW boss also touched on topics such as sustainable fuels, which the European Union does not see as a valid tool for decarbonization. Zipse points out that Europe should not forget that used cars with internal combustion engines will remain on the road long after 2035.
BMW is betting on electric cars, but not as the only way for the future. The brand continues to invest in hydrogen, arguing that it would allow it to be free from dependence on China for battery supplies, which are added to those of semiconductors and raw materials. "Excluding hydrogen from the game would be a mistake", he pointed out, reminding Europe that closing the door to a multi-energy approach only increases this dependence on suppliers and manufacturers outside the Old Continent.
Zipse also stressed the commitment to technological neutrality, which obviously applies to hydrogen as a fuel alternative or to CO2-neutral fuels. It is also wrong to focus only on what comes out of the exhaust. According to Zipse, it is much more important to consider the entire life cycle of the car of the future.
The BMW CEO concluded his reflections by noting that sales of electric cars are weakening globally, and especially in the German private market, where affordable models are lacking. According to Zipse, "you can't just set a regulatory target and believe that it will happen", as consumers prioritize price and maintenance. He also warned that with the current electricity grid, only half of the vehicle fleet can be electrified, and the full electric transition will take no less than three to four decades.