The big car companies have to switch to e-mobility.
(Photo: dpa)
In 24 countries, the combustion engine as a car drive now has a fixed expiry date. Great Britain, Denmark and other nations agreed at the World Climate Conference in Glasgow that only emission-free vehicles may be sold by 2040 at the latest. Germany’s signature is missing from the agreement. This is a mistake.
The Federal Republic is positioning itself as a pioneer in climate-friendly politics. Indeed, through laws and stricter regulation, Berlin has so curbed carbon dioxide emissions that many companies have adapted their work processes and products. The CEOs of the car manufacturers BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen are increasingly converting their respective model ranges to emission-free vehicles.
However, only Daimler is on the list of vehicle manufacturers who support the Glasgow agreement. VW boss Herbert Diess said at the Handelsblatt auto summit that climate change was the greatest challenge facing mankind. However, he refuses a fixed date for an exit from combustion technology. For Oliver Zipse from BMW, the Glasgow Convention even has the opposite effect. A quick ban would mean that consumers would keep driving their old cars.
His argument is correct. In fact, many people shy away from switching to electric cars because there is insufficient charging infrastructure. The efforts made so far by industry and politics are unlikely to be enough to remedy this deficiency. This deficit shows what is lacking in Germany: courage and determination.
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
In view of the investments made by car manufacturers in e-mobility, this allegation may initially appear unjust. After all, they are in the upper double-digit billion range across the industry. Companies have, however, been forced to pay these expenses mainly through stricter regulation. Without the emission targets set by the EU Commission, BMW, Daimler and VW would not be so far with their electric vehicles.
Consistency pays off on the stock market
The corporations have therefore reacted to a legal requirement. But anyone who wants to actively shape a market needs initiative and a pioneering spirit. The Swedish car manufacturer Volvo has both. The company has largely spun off its activities in the area of combustion technology and is now fully focusing on the production of electric vehicles.
This consistent action is well received by investors. Volvo Car’s IPO a few days ago was a sure-fire success. If there is one company in Europe that can best be compared to the US electrical pioneer Tesla, it is the Swedes.
With its focus on electromobility, the company controlled by the Chinese Geely Group is more consistent than its German competitors. BMW and Volkswagen continue to invest in combustion engines; only Daimler initiates a recognizable departure. The Swabians have brought smaller engines into a joint venture with Geely, larger units are likely to follow in the foreseeable future. Daimler will also outsource some transmission models to third parties.
The reorganization initiated by CEO Ola Källenius should be well received on the stock exchange. Much more important, however, is that Källenius focuses his company on the future core. Burners will not play a role in the long term. Whether the final farewell comes in 2040 or later is not decisive. It’s a dying technology, and investing in it is short-term at best.
Ultimately, it makes no sense that Germany wants to keep the combustion engine alive for as long as possible. Without question, many jobs will become superfluous, as fewer work steps are required for an e-vehicle than for a gasoline or diesel engine. But these jobs don’t have to be lost. Because if you are the first company to occupy a field, you can develop it. This creates new jobs.
Persistence in the incinerator time is the greater risk for the industry. The federal government as well as the heads of BMW and VW are well advised, despite legitimate concerns, to follow the example of Daimler and to name a fixed date for the combustion engine off. Also for protecting the climate.
More: Dozens of governments and companies are planning to phase out combustion engines – but Germany of all places is missing.