With European EV sales and production lagging behind in comparison, there is a blame game between automakers and policymakers. “A regulatory framework that does not take into account the needs of customers and the reality of the market – and at the same time, cannot create the necessary conditions for alternative technologies – cannot succeed,” said a BMW spokesperson in a written statement to WIRED, explaining that the company is opposed. for the 2035 ban. In addition, if “charging infrastructure, the availability of renewable energy and access to raw materials” are addressed, the ban will lead to the contract of “the entire vehicle market”. of the continent’s GDP, such a contraction would damage the economy. Low car sales have prompted Volkswagen to announce plans to close at least three factories, raising concerns in Germany about the country’s economic prospects. The left-right political party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which is currently second in opinion polls ahead of Germany’s snap general election in February 2025, does not support a ban on combustion engines and has made the perceived economic costs of environmental policies key. part of the messaging. “Let’s be blunt – consumers just don’t believe in e-mobility,” said Beatrix Keim, director of the CAR Center for Automotive Research. “These vehicles are considered too expensive, people are worried about battery safety, and they’re also worried about charging.” He believes politicians and industry have a role to play in changing this, through subsidies and investments in infrastructure such as charging solutions, and also making vehicles cheaper. “It could be tactical pricing, discounts, rebates, or just lowering prices across the board—which of course has to be balanced against financial gain,” he said. “But overall, they’re the same [both] should make the public more aware of e-mobility and remove some myths, such as battery safety. to continue selling combustion engine cars through the deadline of 2035. Germany is already at the forefront of this, successfully campaigning in 2023 for vehicles using “e-fuel” to be exempted from the ban. Electronic fuel, which is still in the research and development stage, is made from a combination of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and, according to its supporters, releases lower emissions than gasoline. However, not all industry experts are convinced. “E-fuel is complete nonsense,” said Peter Mock, European managing director of the International Council on Clean Transport. “The fuel efficiency is terrible, which means the price is very high – and will remain high.” On top of this, he believes talk of alternative fuels is confusing consumers—which could hurt EV sales. “EVs are simply the most efficient, cheapest and most convenient means of transportation, and we need to communicate that,” he said. will continue to sell globally. One solution could be a pivot to the US market, where predictions for EV sales throughout Trump’s presidency have been cut.
