Overview

• Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has questioned the feasibility of the EU's 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, calling for periodic reviews and flexible transition periods.
• Blume endorsed the European Commission's proposal for a three-year compliance window (2025–2027) to meet stricter CO2 targets, ensuring no loss in climate protection while granting automakers more flexibility.
• He emphasized that the growth of electric mobility requires robust charging infrastructure, competitive energy pricing, and binding government subsidies.
• Blume noted that while Germany’s highway charging network is well-developed, urban and regional areas still face significant infrastructure gaps.
• Upcoming negotiations involving the European Parliament and EU member states could lead to further adjustments to emissions targets and the 2035 phase-out timeline.