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BMW boss Oliver Zipse at the Automobilwoche Kongress: "Will see all types of drive for a very long time"

BMW goes into the second electric offensive. CEO Oliver Zipse does not want to write off petrol and diesel for a long time. Both drives will be seen for a very long time, he said at the Automobilwoche congress. It also gives the fuel cell great opportunities.

BMW boss Oliver Zipse is certain: "We will see all types of drive for a very, very long time", said the CEO at the Automobilwoche congress. Zipse firmly believes that combustion technologies will continue to exist.

Even the ramp-up of electromobility will not lead to the other forms of propulsion disappearing, "not even in a decade or two," as Zipse adds. "There are markets in which battery-powered electromobility will prevail."

Hydrogen as the fifth pillar
Above all, Zipse expects a lot from hydrogen and the fuel cell, which BMW plans to test in a small series of an X5 from the end of 2022. And not just in Europe, but worldwide, as Zipse announced. "I am firmly convinced that this will become a fifth pillar in our drive concept," alongside gasoline, diesel, electric and hybrid engines. That is why BMW is working with Toyota to further advance the fuel cell.

The technology is particularly suitable for heavy vehicles of the upper class, and for regions in which the infrastructure for pure electric cars is lacking. In Japan, for example, there is already a well-developed network of hydrogen filling stations. "Gasoline engines, diesel, pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and also hydrogen will coexist", Zipse is certain. "And everyone contributes to climate protection."

Zipse warns of a ban on burners
"The worst that could happen," warns Zipse: "They are banning the combustion engine and people are not switching to electromobility." Because then, he warns, customers who do not want or cannot switch to electric would probably "continue to drive their old combustion engines" for years without the drive being further developed.

"We mustn't forget the combustion engine so that it will be further developed in the next few years," said Zipse. This also makes a contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. Just like the recently criticized plug-in hybrid. "Even if it is not charged, as a hybrid it consumes less in city traffic than a pure combustion engine.

Zipse is not worried about fines in Europe due to CO2 emissions. "We adjusted our product range at an early stage. We will probably achieve the 2020 and 2021 CO2 targets."

Enthusiastic about iX test drive
The BMW boss reported enthusiastically about his most recent test drive in the new BMW iX, which he unveiled on Wednesday. At the end of October he was on a two-day tour in Eastern Bavaria with some engineers. "And we were really excited about the car's characteristics. We all sat in this car with big grins."

Technically, the vehicle is pushing the limits of what is possible. "We are pushing the limits of what is technically possible and what is permitted." He does not see the fact that, contrary to what was initially announced, the car does not drive fully autonomously according to Level 3, but only has significantly improved Level 2 functions. "Nobody buys a car because of the assistance system."

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