BMW is advocating for dedicated lanes on motorways exclusively for electric cars.
The company believes that this incentive will encourage more people to switch to electric vehicles.
Milan Nedeljković, BMW’s production manager, presented the proposal in an interview with the German newspaper Münchner Merkur.
Nedeljković suggests several incentives for electric car owners, including privileged access to city centers, free parking, and a special lane on motorways.
He believes that if drivers see electric cars bypassing traffic in their own lane, more people would be inclined to make the switch.
This push is not just about boosting BMW’s electric car sales.
From January 1, 2025, the European Union will impose stricter regulations on the total CO2 emissions allowed for car manufacturers' fleets.
BMW, along with other automakers like Volkswagen, is under pressure to meet these new standards or face hefty fines.
BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, has already voiced concerns about the EU’s emission targets, suggesting that automakers should be allowed more flexibility.
BMW is not alone in this view; Volkswagen has expressed similar sentiments.
Nedeljković sees his proposal as an alternative to the EU’s planned ban on internal combustion engines, a move that BMW has been critical of.
Interestingly, this idea of a dedicated motorway lane for electric cars is not entirely new. The German government discussed a similar measure last year, with the additional suggestion that the lane could also be used for buses.
The pressure on car manufacturers is intense, with some companies struggling to adapt.
For instance, the wheel company BBS is facing its fifth bankruptcy, and Recaro is also in financial trouble.
Meanwhile, the Chinese car brand HiPhi announced last week that it is shutting down after not producing any cars since last year.
