BMW CEO calls EU ban on internal combustion engines a "huge mistake" (1 photo)

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse criticized the ban on internal combustion engine vehicles, which is scheduled to take effect in the European Union in 2035, in a Politico podcast. He called the decision a huge mistake and called on European authorities to allow the use of cleaner fuels. Zipse believes that fuel companies such as BP and Shell must also be held accountable.



The agreement to ban the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles in 2023 was signed by 27 European Union member states and will take effect 10 years later. An exception is made only for engines running on synthetic fuels, but these are not actually produced on an industrial scale.

The head of BMW has repeatedly criticized the upcoming ban. For example, a year ago, he called a complete transition to electric vehicles an unrealistic goal and warned that European automakers would ultimately become even more dependent on Chinese battery suppliers.

Despite all the difficulties facing European automakers—high US tariffs on imported cars, weak demand, and competition from China—BMW still maintains its forecast of selling 2.5 million vehicles in 2025. Zipse stated that August's results exceeded those of the same month last year.