Europe must lift petrol engine ban to reduce dependence on China

Paris, 15 October - Europe must scrap its plan to ban new fossil fuel-emitting cars from 2035 to reduce dependence on China's battery supply chain and take advantage of its technological strengths, BMW chief Oliver Zipse said on Tuesday.

Zipse, who has long pushed for regulators to allow various technologies - including alternative fuels such as e-fuels or biofuels and hydrogen fuel cell cars - said the mood in Europe is "heading towards pessimism" and the region needs a new regulatory framework to remain competitive.

"Correction of the 100 % BEV target for 2035 as part of a comprehensive package to reduce CO₂ would also allow European OEMs to rely less on China for batteries," Zipse said at the Paris Motor Show, adding: "A strictly technology-driven policy path is necessary to stay on a successful course."

In March 2023, EU countries passed a landmark law requiring all new cars to have zero CO₂, which effectively means a ban on diesel and petrol vehicles, and 55 % lower CO₂ compared to 2021.

Carmakers, including BMW, VW and Renault, and the Italian government have called for the CO₂because they fear heavy fines due to lower-than-expected sales of electric vehicles.

Yet Zipse's home country of Germany has rejected an early review of the targets, citing the need for clarity for industry and the urgency of tackling climate change.

Also in Paris, the head of the French automobile association PFA stopped short of calling for the 2035 ban to be lifted, but said it was necessary to quickly "return to the negotiating table" to discuss a revision of the targets, currently scheduled for 2026.

Reuters/ gnews - RoZ

PHOTO - BMW