BMW’s chief executive Oliver Zipse has said that Europe must do away with its plan to ban new fossil fuel emitting cars from 2035, to curb dependence on China’s battery supply chain, and use its technological strengths to its advantage, Reuters reported.
Zipse said at the Paris Motor Show, that the mood was veering towards that of “pessimism,” and a new regulatory framework was required to remain competitive, the newswire noted.
“A correction of the 100% BEV target for 2035 as part of a comprehensive CO2-reduction package would also afford European OEMs less reliance on China for batteries,” he added, elaborating that a purely technology agnostic path was needed in the policy framework, the newswire added.
In March last year, EU had passed a law that requiring new cars to have zero carbon dioxide emissions, 2035 onwards, thus effectively banning petrol and diesel vehicles. It also mandated 55% lower Co2 emissions from 2030, as compared to 2021 levels, the newswire noted.
VW, Renault and BMW have asked for the targets to be pushed back, on the back of an impact of huge fines due to lower than expected EV sales, the newswire noted.
Zipse’s home country – Germany rejected an early review of targets, given the need for industry clarity, the newswire noted. In Paris, the head of France’s auto association PFA just stopped shy of asking for the 2035 ban to be abolished, noting it was essential to quickly “come back around the table” to talk about review targets, scheduled at the moment for 2026.