DüsseldorfThe new specifications from Brussels are strict: instead of the expected 35 percent, European car manufacturers must reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of their vehicle fleets reduce by an average of 37.5 percent by 2030, This is only possible with an even stronger change to electric vehicles – especially the market leader Volkswagen,
So far, the VWThe company calculates that in the year 2030 in Europe about 1.2 million purely battery-powered vehicles must be sold, it said in company circles. In order for the Volkswagen Group to achieve the emission reduction of 37.5 percent presented by the EU this week, around 600,000 electric cars will have to be sold in 2030, according to company sources.
The proportion of battery-powered vehicles on all cars sold in Europe would then be more than 40 percent at VW. Volkswagen sells around four million vehicles a year in the EU together with all other Group brands. The average value of carbon dioxide emissions in the VW Group fleet is currently around 120 grams per kilometer driven. By 2021, all automakers have to reach an average of 95 grams, If you can not do that, you will have to expect a hefty fine. Billions are possible.
Of these values for the year 2021, another 37.5 percent are to be deducted according to the latest EU plans. The bottom line would then be values below 60 grams per kilometer driven. Such average values can no longer be achieved with classic internal combustion engines. Only electric cars can help.
CEO Herbert Diess was last in an interview with the “Bild” nevertheless optimistic to comply with the new CO2 limits. “Of course, we will be able to achieve the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by another 37.5 percent by 2030. With our e-platform and strong presence in China, we can do it, “said Diess.
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After entering into force of the new EU rules, Volkswagen would probably not only have to produce 600,000 additional electric vehicles per year. As supplemented by Wolfsburg, the group would probably need at least seven additional electric models, which are produced on the basis of the new MEB (electronic construction kit).
But that would mean that the consequences of the new EU decisions would not be complete. Because: new models also need new works. At the moment, the VW group does not have the factories to produce this larger number of electric cars. “Then at least another work for electric vehicles must be added,” said an insider in Wolfsburg.
The entire production infrastructure at Volkswagen today is almost exclusively designed for cars with internal combustion engines. In order to enable the Group to comply with future EU emission regulations, the VW Supervisory Board decided in November to rebuild several German factories.
The factories in Emden and Hanover are expected to produce almost only electric vehicles after 2022. Already one year ago the Group announced the conversion of the VW factory in Zwickau, The production site in Saxony will in future only produce electric cars. However, the starting signal for the production of the first MEB-based vehicle will be given at the end of next year.
However, Volkswagen will not be able to meet the new specifications from Brussels with this capacity-building agreement for electric cars – additional capacity must be created in Europe. For example, Volkswagen is examining whether existing engine plants can be used to assemble vehicles in the future. Because of the change to the electric motor, the group needs fewer production facilities for gasoline and diesel engines.
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Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess had announced on Tuesday after the announcement of the new EU requirements that Volkswagen must create new electrical capacity. “Our chosen conversion program, which is needed for this system change, is not enough,” he said. The conversion of the product portfolio, possibly linked to the cancellation of combustion models, might be necessary. Volkswagen also had to prepare a “reconstruction of the factory structures” and set up additional battery cell and battery factories.
However, this warned at the same time that the implementation of electrical plans can not be guaranteed today. “Completely unexplained in this context are the generation of environmentally friendly electricity and the necessary charging infrastructure,” emphasized the VW boss.
Volkswagen will definitely have to revise its own planning now. Concrete decisions are expected to be taken in autumn next year. Volkswagen traditionally decides on its investment planning in November.