by BMW’s Statement on the Future of Internal Combustion Engines
It has become known that internal combustion engines will not completely disappear from the European lineup of automakers by 2035, as previously anticipated, as some hybrid models will continue to exist. However, according to a statement from a high-ranking BMW representative, ICEs have not just received a ten-year reprieve but can be considered practically immortal.
“Internal combustion engines will never disappear. Never!”
These words belong to Jochen Holler, BMW’s Head of Customer, Brand and Sales, who expressed them during a roundtable at the Munich Motor Show. Interestingly, it was at this event that BMW presented the electric iX3 – the first car from the Neue Klasse series, which will define the brand’s development for the next decade or more.
How Serious Was the Statement?
Was Holler serious? Obviously, he did not mean that gasoline engines would exist when cars learn to fly and humanity masters teleportation. No reasonable person would believe that. But was he hinting that internal combustion engines would remain relevant in 40, 50, or 60 years?
BMW’s press office quickly intervened to temper the enthusiasm regarding Holler’s eloquent statement. As reported by the AMS magazine, a company representative explained that the comments were made in a “joking context.” He added that the sales manager was trying to emphasize that the adaptation of new powertrain technologies differs significantly in different countries and regions.
The Numbers Tell the Story
For those living in Europe and the USA, the transition to electric vehicles is happening faster than in other markets, even if not at the pace initially expected by manufacturers like BMW. Already, electric cars account for one-fifth of all new car sales in Europe, and although their share in the USA is smaller, mass adoption in America (and possibly regulatory changes) will happen sooner than in India or remote regions of Africa or Asia.
The good news for Western consumers who are not eager to move to Chad to avoid buying an electric car is that BMW seems to be adhering to a multi-energy strategy worldwide, at least for some time. The company’s older CLAR platform is being updated to ensure the continued existence of internal combustion engines and hybrid options, such as the new X7, alongside the electric Neue Klasse models.
A Multi-Platform Future
Autocar India, which first reported Holler’s comments, claims that BMW will eventually have three platforms: Neue Klasse for electric vehicles, a new multi-energy version for hybrids (and likely hydrogen), as well as a base platform for entry-level models with ICEs.
So, will internal combustion engines never disappear? Of course, they will eventually become history, but thanks to hybrid technologies, consumer demand, and possibly eco-fuels, they still have many years ahead.
BMW’s position reflects the complexity of the global transition to alternative fuels, where different markets show significantly different development paces. While Europe and North America are actively adopting electric vehicles, many regions of the world will remain dependent on traditional technologies for a long time. Such a flexible strategy allows the automaker to meet the needs of different markets while preparing for a future where electricity may become the dominant force in the automotive industry.
