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Winfried Kretschmann at the opening of the new Daimler factory "Factory 56" for the Mercedes S-Class on September 2nd
Photo:
Silas Stein / dpa
Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister
Winfried Kretschmann
(72, Greens) considers a quick success of the electric car in Germany to be unlikely.
"Despite the entire transformation, we will still have a high proportion of combustion and hybrid vehicles in 2030," Kretschmann told Wirtschaftswoche.
The continuation of these production lines also ensures the survival of the supplier industry.
"The contribution margins for the combustion engine are just completely different than for the electric vehicle," said the Green politician.
Kretschmann also sees strategic reasons to hold on to combustion engines and hybrid vehicles.
"As long as we still depend on Asia for batteries, it is not advisable from an industrial point of view to just stand on one leg."
The head of government also referred to the critical ecological balance of all-electric vehicles.
"The electrification of transport only makes sense if the electricity comes from renewable energy sources."
But that is still a long way off.
That will apply even more if hydrogen and synthetic fuels are used more widely in the future.
"Because they need even more energy to manufacture."
"Future music" - skepticism also when it comes to autonomous driving
The Green politician assured that his party friends have no problem with the car and the vehicle industry.
"Greens also drive cars," he said.
However, it depends on its emissions.
"A car that no longer emits harmful substances is not part of the problem, but part of the solution."
The Prime Minister of Autoland views the development of autonomous driving with skepticism.
The necessary infrastructure is still missing for this.
"It is still a long way off that we will be able to hand over the steering wheel and read the newspaper on an overland trip at some point."
Around 30 percent of industrial sales in the Southwest come from the manufacture of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts.
The export quota is 70 percent.
ak / dpa-afx