√German car-makers divided on Europe’s move to electric-only vehicles

The bosses of Germany’s three largest car-makers hold differing opinions on whether Europe’s 2035 petrol and diesel car ban is achievable – and the consequences the policy will have on motorists.

Europe’s decision to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035 continues to be questioned by the CEOs of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, while auto giant Volkswagen believes it will be ready to conform to the new rules.

In February this year, European Parliament members approved a proposal which would effectively bring an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars – also referred to as internal-combustion engine (or ICE) vehicles – from 2035.

Car-makers which sell passenger vehicles in Europe will be required to cut their new-car tailpipe emissions by 55 per cent before 2030 (compared to 2021 levels), while a 100 per cent reduction will be enforced from 2035.

Speaking to German publication Handelsblatt – and reported by Der Spiegel – BMW boss Oliver Zipse slammed the 2035 deadline, calling the decision to phase out petrol and diesel cars as negligent while questioning the capability of Europe’s electric-car charging infrastructure.

“I think the political requirement to phase out combustion engines is negligent,” Mr Zipse told Handelsblatt.

“And where do people charge all the electric cars? There will be no comprehensive infrastructure for electric cars in Europe in 2035.

“Do you think that in 12 years there will be charging stations in every village in regions like southern Italy?”

The executive also took aim at the price disparity between electric and petrol or diesel cars, joining the growing chorus of car-makers who believe the lack of cheap battery-powered vehicles will leave those in lower socioeconomic areas behind.

“In the end, this can even become a social problem. If mobility is no longer affordable, you will offend many people.”

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius has also recently said Europe won’t be ready for only electric cars in dealerships by 2030, though the German brand is still on track to deliver on its plans to ditch petrol and diesel cars in certain markets by the end of this decade.

“It’s not going to be 100 per cent (electric) in 2030, obviously… from the whole European market, but probably from the Mercedes side as well,” Mr Kaellenius told news agency Reuters.

“We will be ready… but we will also have tactical flexibility,” referencing Mercedes-Benz’s plans to produce certain electric and petrol/diesel models on the same production lines.

By contrast, Volkswagen claims it is ready to move away from petrol and diesel cars ahead of Europe’s 2035 ban, having previously announced it plans to only sell electric vehicles on the continent from 2033.

Speaking to Reuters, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said the car giant will aim to reduce the cost of its electric cars by forming partnerships with Chinese suppliers.

“We are prepared for the 2035 combustion ban in Europe,” Mr Blume said.

“I think we have great chances. We know how to build cars, with top quality. We will have to work hard on the cost side.”

Australia has not yet introduced a plan to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars – though the Australian Capital Territory plans to do so by 2035, in line with Europe.

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