BMW Refuses to Ditch Gas Engines: Electric Cars Funded by Old Fuel!
Thought BMW, one of the world’s biggest car makers, would quickly switch to electric vehicles and forget about gas and diesel engines? Think again! BMW insists that gasoline engines will remain the backbone of their business and that these engines will actually finance the development of electric cars. Yes, you read that right – electric cars are being built on good old gasoline!
Gasoline as the Financial Foundation for the Future
In an interview with German business newspaper Automobilwoche, a top BMW official stated that gasoline engines remain the foundation for financing future operations. Klaus von Moltke, director of BMW’s factory in Austria, where 1.2 million engines were produced last year, emphasized that development of conventional engines will continue. Engineers are working on three- and eight-cylinder engines that will meet the strict Euro 7 standards.
While many think BMW is ditching diesel, that’s not true. The company is testing diesel engines running on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO100), which can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional diesel. Besides environmental benefits, these engines start better in cold weather and are less prone to microbiological contamination thanks to the clean fuel.
Electric Motors? Yes, But Slowly!
BMW’s Austrian factory also produces electric motors for future models in the Neue Klasse line, but the company does not plan to fully switch to electric vehicles anytime soon. They expect that by the end of the decade, sales will be split 50/50 between internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles. Currently, electric models make up only about 17.4% of BMW Group’s total sales, including Rolls-Royce.
Will the EU Really Ban Gas Cars?
Klaus von Moltke clearly stated that it’s not BMW’s job to assume whether the European Union will implement a ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles by 2035. BMW is preparing for all scenarios and wants to deliver what the market demands. The company keeps all options open and continues developing gasoline engines, including a new M3 with a six-cylinder gasoline engine, likely with some form of electrification. Even the larger M5 hasn’t lost a cylinder – its V8 engine is now part of a plug-in hybrid system to meet stricter environmental standards.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Cars?
While many companies rush to abandon gas and diesel engines, BMW is swimming against the tide and boldly declares: “Gasoline is our money!” This strategy might be smart or risky, but one thing is clear – BMW doesn’t want to abandon its roots and believes ICE engines will remain important for a long time.
If you thought the electric revolution was already done, BMW reminds you this is just the beginning of the game. So, what do you think? Is BMW right to stick with gas engines, or is it time for everyone to go electric? Drop a comment, spark a debate, or just share a laugh with your friends over this – who knows, this might be the start of a big automotive drama!
