BMW Sounds Alarm: Europe’s Proposed 2035 Gas Engine Ban “Can Kill an Industry”

BMW is the latest major automaker to openly challenge Europe’s plan to ban new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from 2035, arguing that it risks doing far more harm than good—especially if implementation is rushed or infrastructure is unprepared.

In a recent interview with CarExpert, BMW Chief Technology Officer Joachim Post said that a rigid ban on gas engines without sufficient preparation could “kill an industry.” Post’s comments add to growing concern among legacy car manufacturers over the European Commission’s proposal, which seeks to require zero-emission new vehicles (i.e. “tailpipe-zero”) as of January 1, 2035. 

The Core of BMW’s Concern

BMW has avoided making sweeping promises to go fully electric by a specific deadline, unlike some rivals who have previously declared their intentions to phase out ICE powertrains. Instead, BMW has preferred a more gradual approach, emphasizing consumer choice and technological neutrality. 

Joachim Post stresses that while BMW expects increasing demand for EVs, it projects a roughly even split between gas (combustion) and electric vehicles by around 2030. A ban that forces the phase-out of combustion engines only in 2035, he argues, removes the option for customers who prefer or rely on ICEs, and could place automakers—and many downstream industries—in jeopardy.

His warning is not purely speculative: Post points to a number of interrelated challenges that must be tackled before such a ban can be fair, feasible, and not economically destructive. Among these are:

• Infrastructure readiness for EV charging (availability, reliability, grid capacity)
• Energy pricing and supply concerns, including how electricity is generated and whether it remains affordable
• How consumers will adapt, especially in regions or demographics for whom EVs are currently less accessible, e.g. due to cost, geography, or other constraints

A Broader Chorus of Industry Warnings

BMW is far from alone in raising the alarm. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius recently painted an equally stark picture, warning that the European car industry is “heading at full speed against a wall” if the 2035 ban is not reconsidered. 

His concerns were echoed in public comments about the risk of “collapse,” unless there is a “course correction” that keeps combustion engines in the mix longer than some planned. 

Other automakers have also voiced worry that the ban could lead to massive job losses, especially in regions heavily dependent on ICE manufacturing plants and related supply chains. The fear is that companies will be forced to scale back or shut down operations if their traditional technology is outlawed without enough room to adapt.

Where Things Stand on EV Uptake

To give context to these warnings: Electric vehicles are of course growing in Europe, but the transition is still far from complete. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), EVs accounted for about 15.6% of total car sales in the EU in the first eight months of 2025. 

Including the UK and the EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), that share rises to 17.4%. These figures show momentum but also underscore how large the gap remains before EVs can fully replace combustion powertrains, particularly if policy mandates accelerate the shift aggressively.

The Stakes: Jobs, Profits, & Market Stability

BMW’s business case for resisting the ban rests heavily on the fact that ICE technology is still a major revenue contributor. The company continues to manufacture and sell a wide variety of combustion engines — three-, four-, six-, and eight-cylinder models, and even a V-12 in Rolls-Royce models. 

Some of these engines are sold to other manufacturers, including Toyota, Land Rover, and Ineos Automotive. Rumors suggest even Mercedes may soon rely on a four-cylinder engine sourced from BMW. Losing the ability to sell ICE vehicles would therefore hit BMW in several ways:

1. Profit margins – ICE vehicles still contribute significantly to cash flow and profits, especially in premium performance and large displacement segments.
2. Supply chain & employment – Combustion engines are central to a large ecosystem: parts manufacturers, assembly plants, logistics, maintenance, etc. A sudden ban could disrupt thousands of jobs and related industries.
3. Market differences across Europe – Not all countries in the EU will have the same readiness for EV adoption. Rural areas, border regions, or countries with less developed infrastructure may find it harder to transition quickly.

What EU Says & Possible Flexibilities

The proposed 2035 regulation is not yet set in stone. There are indications that the EU may review aspects of its proposal. BMW and other legacy automakers are pressing Brussels to reconsider or adjust the implementation to avoid unintended damage. 

Potentially, there could be transition periods, or exemptions, or allowances for synthetic fuels (e-fuels) or hybrid powertrains beyond 2035, or other technicalities that would soften the disruption. How these might be structured is not yet clear and will be a focus of intense debate among manufacturers, environmental groups, and governments.

The Counterarguments & Environmental Imperatives

While BMW and others warn of economic harm, there is a powerful counter-narrative: climate change, air pollution, and energy security. Advocates for banning new ICE vehicles by 2035 say that the faster we move to zero-emission vehicles, the sooner we reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

They argue that while the infrastructure and energy supply challenges are real, they are solvable if there is sufficient regulatory clarity, investment, and political will. Some governments are already committing funds to build charging networks, expand renewable energy generation, and build battery supply chains.

Furthermore, many car buyers are already shifting preferences. EV technology has been improving in range, charging speed, affordability, and overall user experience. Costs of batteries have dropped significantly over the last decade, helping bring down EV prices.

What Lies Ahead: Policy Debates & Industry Adjustments

Looking forward, several key areas will shape how this conflict between regulation and industry concern plays out:

• EU policy reviews: The European Commission will need to weigh both environmental goals and industrial consequences. There may be hearings, impact assessments, and revised proposals that include transitional measures.
• Automaker strategies: OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) like BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, etc., must plan whether to double down on EVs, scale back ICE investments, or diversify (e.g. hybrids, synthetic fuels).
• Infrastructure investments: Building adequate EV charging stations, ensuring grid stability, and ensuring renewable generation will all be essential if EV usage is to scale without adverse effects.
• Consumer behavior and support: Incentives (tax breaks, rebates), education, and policies that address EV affordability and usage in non-urban areas will influence how smoothly the transition occurs.
• Market divergence: Not all European regions will be equally ready. Policymakers may need to allow for regional flexibility or phased implementation based on local readiness.

Bottom Line

BMW’s warning that the 2035 ban on new gas engines “can kill an industry” is not hyperbole in their view, but a plea for caution. They argue that moving too fast, or in too rigid a way, risks undermining one of Europe’s key manufacturing sectors—before alternate infrastructure, energy systems, and consumer demand are fully aligned.

For environmental regulators, the trade-off is clear: move rapidly to reduce emissions or ensure that the pace and structure of regulation do not inflict severe economic harm. For automakers and workers, the hope is that regulation will allow space to adapt rather than mandate abrupt change.

What happens between now and 2035—through policy amendments, industry actions, investment in infrastructure, and the political balance between climate priorities and industrial stability—will determine whether the European automotive sector can survive and thrive in the zero-emission future, or whether it will face the upheaval BMW fears.