October 17, 2024 – At the Paris Auto Show on Tuesday local time, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse made a clear statement advocating for a new regulatory approach in Europe. He emphasized the need for Europe to leverage its technological advantages and reduce reliance on battery imports.
According to reports from AutoNews and Bloomberg, Zipse suggested that “as part of a comprehensive carbon dioxide emission reduction plan, revising the 2035 target of 100% pure electric vehicles would enable European automakers to decrease their dependence on Chinese batteries. To maintain success, it is imperative to adhere to a strictly technology-neutral path within the policy framework.”
During the same event, Zipse also expressed his concerns about Europe’s readiness to phase out gasoline and diesel engines. He stated bluntly that the EU’s current objectives are “no longer realistic” and criticized the existing subsidies for electric vehicles as “unsustainable.”
Officials from Germany and Italy have also voiced their opposition to the ban and played a pivotal role in pushing for exemptions for fuel vehicles using zero-carbon emissions within the European Commission.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Zipse has engaged in this debate. Reportedly, three years ago, he declared BMW’s readiness for any potential ban on fuel vehicles, stating that the company had contingency plans regardless of “which region, city, or country” imposes such a ban. However, he cautioned that a blanket prohibition on internal combustion engines might not represent the optimal path forward.
