Debate about the end of combustion engines: BMW with a clear message - "Will our customers not be forced to..."

Created: 01/20/2022, 12:40 p.m

By: Patricia Huber

BMW development board member Frank Weber is critical of a ban on combustion cars.

© Michael Gstettenbauer/Imago Images

Sales of e-cars are picking up speed.

But BMW development director Frank Weber cannot imagine an end for combustion engines - and for a good reason.

Munich – The car manufacturer BMW* is now also on the rise in the electric car industry.

The fully and partially electric i-models* are being seen on the streets more and more frequently.

But a complete conversion to electric drive, the BMW development board Frank Weber can not imagine.

In the magazine

has now expressed his view of things on the subject of e-mobility.

BMW Board Member for Development confident: "We'll need combustion engines for a few more years"

The EU had proposed a complete ban on combustion engines by 2035.

But Weber does not believe in this proposal.

"One thing is certain for us: we still need the ultra-modern combustion engine for a few years to effectively reduce CO2 emissions in the passenger car sector globally," he makes clear in the interview.

New engine generations should then also be prepared for future emission standards.

Weber makes it clear: "There's really nothing like it was before."

In a few years, however, Weber would still like to give BMW customers the choice* of whether they would rather drive an electric car or a combustion engine.

“Nor will we force our customers to choose between the new and the supposedly old.

Our aim is to always offer the most sustainable and innovative vehicles, regardless of the type of drive,” he explains.

BMW: The lack of charging stations speaks against the abolition of combustion engines

Weber sees great potential in plug-in hybrids.

In his opinion, they "play a really important role in the transition." After all, the network of charging stations is not really big in Germany and this problem "can't be solved overnight."

This is also the reason why BMW is so vehemently opposed to a fixed date for phasing out combustion engines.

He goes on to explain: “Of course the future is electric, only if we force customers into an e-car now and they are all stuck in traffic at the charging station on their way to vacation, then nothing will be gained.

And nobody can want that.

This transition will not be over in five or ten years.”