BMW Warns Against Overdependence on Synthetic Fuels
Published: August 9, 2024, 11:53 AM
When Brussels announced its definitive ban on combustion engines in 2035, manufacturers, especially those in Germany, found a workaround. They argue that using synthetic fuels generated from renewable energy would be a way to decarbonize transportation, the ultimate goal of the EU.
However, BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, believes this is a “false solution.” He argues that the necessary investments to support the widespread use and development of such fuels are lacking. This solution also shifts the burden from car manufacturers to oil companies.
Despite this, Zipse acknowledges that the transition away from combustion engines is inevitable. He suggests alternative solutions like mixing gasoline with vegetable oil diesel to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Zipse believes the European Commission is pushing for a solution that simply relaxes the combustion engine ban by allowing e-fuels. He points out that the high development cost of synthetic fuels makes them less profitable than selling renewable energy as electricity.
While manufacturers are rapidly moving towards electric vehicles, sales still account for a significant portion of deliveries. At BMW, zero-emission models account for 15.7% of total registrations, an increase of 24.6% from the previous year. Popular electric models include the i4, iX3, iX, and iX2.