BMW Boss Thinks Banning Combustion Engines Is A Bad Idea

Pressure from environmental groups and governments across the world has placed carmakers in a rather precarious situation: adapt to electromobility or die. In fact, many companies have pledged to stop selling internal combustion-engined (ICE) cars by 2030. Even boutique carmakers are setting themselves lofty goals, with BAC recently announcing its ambitious plans for the future.

BMW has certainly appeared to be one of the companies in the lead, offering a host of electrified vehicles that clearly appeal to consumers, if the latest sales figures are anything to go by. What's more, it's even taken to ending production of the V12 found in the range-topping 7 Series - and yet, the company's CEO has recently warned that banning combustion engines will be a very big mistake.

According to Automobilewoche, Oliver Zipse has said the global market is not ready for a world without ICE engines. His bold claims were made during a meeting with the German political party, Christian Social Union at the nation's federal parliament. He warned that a potential ban on the sale of cars powered by traditional engines would hinder the automotive industry.

"If you try to ban this technology in Germany and Europe, but the world market is not even that far, you will lose this technology on the world market. Therefore, we warn against this [happening] too early and not giving [enough time] for the transformation to [occur] in [other] markets." Zipse clearly believes the combustion engine still has a future, noting the electric revolution is happening too quickly for other markets to adapt and catch up with.

"It would be harmful to simply give up a technology in which you have a global market position. I don't think that would help the climate or anyone else," he added.