Combustion engines and e-cars are in a decisive battle gameandnews
The combustion engine ban in the EU is not as safe as we thought. This also raises the question: Which drive is the better choice, classic or electric? The car manufacturers leave practically no room for doubt.
Backing for FDP ministers: Germans want to keep their combustion engines
The EU has still not finally decided on the ban on internal combustion engines from 2035. In addition to the reluctance from Italy, Bulgaria and Poland, for example, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing made sure that the final vote by the member states was postponed. He wants Give combustors another chance – exclusively fueled with e-fuels the FDP wants them to be allowed to be re-registered after 2035.
Wissing and Germany didn’t exactly get applause for his blockade and the newly formed combustion engine alliance. At best, the world looks at Germany with irritation. According to a current ARD survey, Wissing can be sure of a large group of supporters despite the headwind from the industry: 67 percent of the Germans surveyed do not want the EU’s internal combustion engine ban.
The survey is silent on its reasons. The aim of the Germany trend was only to clarify the question: for or against the end of combustion engines? At least Wissing can now claim that he acts in the interests of the majority in Germany – even if this agreement came as a surprise and was found in retrospect.
VW, Opel & BMW build on the electric car – sometimes more, sometimes less
The situation is different in the industry: several German manufacturers outdo each other when presenting their latest electric car plans. VW made itself heard the loudest – with the presentation of the concept electric car ID.2all.
As early as 2025, Volkswagen wants to use this concept bring the first ID.2 onto the market – at a competitive price of less than 25,000 euros. However, there is probably only the small battery, which should at best have a range of 300 km. The A range of 450 km can only be achieved with the large battery option – which in turn should significantly more expensive become. The fears of my colleague Peter Hryciuk have once again hit the mark.
Just like VW with the further expansion of its ID family, Opel is also committed to the electric car. CEO Florian Huettl explained in an interview that it was for the Rüsselsheimer no way back will exist – and that it is exactly what the customers want. “Anyone who drives electrically once, always drives electrically”, like Huettl. The switch to the electric car has already been initiated and is a done deal for him.
On the other hand, BMW and Mercedes are the German flagships of the premium segment. Internally, the same motto should apply to the car manufacturers: e-cars, if need be, but if not, that is too Combustors will not be a problem in the future.
Mobility – something is happening: E-cars, electric bicycles, e-scooters, a successor to the 9-euro ticket on buses and trains – all of this moves us in two ways. And what has happened in terms of mobility?
At BMW, that’s no wonder, the Bavarians had never kept quiet about wanting more openness to technology. Nevertheless, BMW boss Oliver Zipse is backing electric cars: “Should individual markets or regions at the time X 100 percent e-mobility demand – we are ready and will deliver.”
While Europe is struggling to say yes to the electric car, China is much further along:
E-car vs. combustion engine: Which winner will Germany get?
Mercedes, on the other hand, is officially fully behind the e-car course that is to be taken in Europe. While politics is currently stuck at a crossroads, there are representatives of both camps on the part of the car manufacturers: For Opel and VW, the signs point to electric cars. Things are not so clear for BMW and Mercedes.
The Germans are far less divided on the matter than I had hoped, at least. A government that advocates the end of combustion engines in Europe against a two-thirds majority in its own country is doing something wrong. A solution is needed that is viable both at home and abroad – and as quickly as possible. Otherwise only collateral damage threatens in the decisive battle between combustion engines and electric cars and nobody needs them.
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