“BMW wants to continue offering multiple mobility solutions.”

Cascais, Portugal- Many car manufacturers are rushing to announce a deadline for combustion engines, but BMW is not in such a hurry. We had the privilege of speaking with a board member of BMW, Frank Weber, who is responsible for the brand’s development. While many manufacturers are setting a deadline of 2035 for the end of gasoline models, Mr. Weber is much less categorical. We cannot rush such a decision.

During the presentation of the new BMW X2, iX2, and MINI Countryman, Mr. Weber emphasized a transition period that will last longer than expected. Before making a complete electric shift, all the necessary ingredients must be in place, such as a charging network capable of supporting this shift, stabilized prices for electric models, and finding ingredients available long term for batteries. “BMW will continue to offer a choice of powertrains, including hydrogen as we believe that 2035 is an unrealistic date,” Mr. Weber points out.

“naturally, we need to regularly review our goals. At the moment, purely electric models are not viable because they cost too much. We believe that a better hybrid strategy will appeal to a wider audience if the range is appealing. Many people in the world cannot afford to pay a high price for an electric model.

“This does not mean that BMW favors combustion engines over EVs,” adds Mr. Weber. This year, the company has set a target for zero-emission vehicles to represent 15% of total deliveries. By the end of the decade, the Munich-based brand expects half of the cars it sells will not be equipped with an internal combustion engine.

While reduction is the buzzword in the automotive industry, BMW still has many models with inline six-cylinder and V8 engines. The brand will also be one of the last manufacturers to abandon combustion engines. It is also one of the last brands to offer a manual transmission, although this will not last very long.

In conclusion, Mr. Weber mentioned that people cannot be forced to switch to all-electric vehicles. “We are preparing seriously at BMW with the Neue Klasse and Neue Klasse X which will soon hit the road with reduced weight, increased range, and technology that breaks new boundaries, but we want the driver to still have a choice and we believe it is still too early to make such a radical decision. The solution lies in a variety of offerings.