Fuel: Besides electric also other drives
RETHINKING In an interview with "Auto, Motor und Sport", Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Volkswagen Group, takes a different tone to his predecessor. Synthetic fuels are part of the solution.
This was almost to be expected: Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume is committed to an open-technology approach - which means that, depending on the segment and customer demand, not only electric drives but also other concepts may be considered.
Different offers in each segment
In an interview with the trade magazine "Auto, Motor und Sport", Blume, who also heads the Porsche brand, has now commented on drive strategies and synthetic fuels. In future, Porsche wants to "offer a combustion engine, a hybrid and an electric sports car in every segment", said the manager. Classically powered models continue to be "very popular in many regions of the world."
Neutral CO2 operation possible with e-fuels
This will not make them a climate problem: the VW Group CEO points out that petrol engines can be operated "almost CO2-neutrally" with e-fuels. According to Blume, this means that "all vehicles can play their part in reducing CO2 - regardless of the type of drive". He also advocates blending with fossil fuels, which is technically possible without any problems: "Every percentage of blending is a contribution to climate protection."
Electromobility no longer the panacea?
These are very different tones from Wolfsburg than before. At a press conference in March 2019, Blume's predecessor Herbert Diess praised electromobility as a panacea: Openness to technology was a "false slogan" and that "all forces would be directed towards one goal". And he had called on the assembled journalists: "Let's stop discussing and criticizing."
Under Blume, the competition for the technically best and most climate-friendly technologies is now likely to pick up speed again. This brings the VW Group closer to the position of companies such as BMW and Toyota, which also rely on various technical solutions.
