BMW ready for internal combustion ban

BMW GROUP CEO Oliver Zipse has declared the German auto giant will be ready for any EU-enforced ban on combustion-engine cars from 2030 onwards with broad range of all-electric vehicles.

The European Union has proposed an effective ban on fossil-fuel-powered cars from 2035 with the proposal forming part of a broader package set out by EU leaders as the region moves to combat the effects of climate change.

“We will be ICE-ban ready. If a region, a city, [or] a country gets the idea of banning ICEs, we will have an offering,” Mr Zipse told media.

“The BMW Group is not worried about this. Whether it’s a good idea is another question… but we will have an offering.”

BMW has not set an end date for production of ICE-powered cars but has said previously it expects 50 per cent of global car sales to be electric by 2030. 

At this stage, the Group offers just two battery electric vehicles: the i3 city car and recently-launch Mini Cooper SE. 

However, the German marque is currently readying its iX flagship SUV and i4 electric sedan, with battery-powered versions of the 7 Series and X1 set to launch in 2022. The company has also announced plans to release an all-electric 5 Series and Mini Countryman by 2023.

By the end of 2022, BMW says two-thirds of its range will be available with some form of electrification as it works to integrate 48V mild-hybrid systems across its line-up with hydrogen fuel cell technology also in the pipeline for release in 2025.

The brand already has five plug-in hybrid offerings available in Australia, including the 330e, 530e, 745e, X5e, and Mini Countryman S E ALL4.

Speaking to international media earlier this year, BMW said it was mindful that the progression towards electrification would be carried out in waves, the company joining others in insisting more can be done to improve the tailpipe emissions of internal combustion vehicles. 

“There is not the one technical solution visible for all the different customer needs around the world, and therefore the BMW Group will continue to develop and produce gasoline and diesel engines,” BMW i and electromobility spokesperson Wieland Bruch said.

“We are not one of these manufacturers who are saying they will not bring next-generations of gasoline and diesel engines to market. We at BMW think the internal combustion engine (ICE) still has a bright future and a lot of potential for further evolution in terms of efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.

“We believe that if we put hybrid technology into the car, meaning high voltage electronics, battery and high voltage motor, then we should exploit the full potential of hybrid technology, and that is only the case in terms of plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

“So, plug-in hybrid vehicles is the main road we go when it goes to electrification besides from fully battery-electric cars.”