VW Rethinks Electric Future as CEO Calls for EU “Reality Check”

Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume has called for greater flexibility in the European Union’s plan to ban sales of new combustion engine cars by 2035, warning that the transition to fully electric vehicles may not happen as smoothly as expected.

Speaking to Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung during the Shanghai Motor Show, Blume urged EU politicians to carry out a “reality check” and assess how fast electric vehicles are actually being adopted across member states.

“Political flexibility is necessary,” Blume said, suggesting that transition periods may be needed if rollout targets are not met. He welcomed the EU’s recent decision to delay tougher CO₂ requirements for car manufacturers by three years, which spared companies such as Volkswagen from facing large fines.

Blume argued that similar flexibility should be considered for the 2035 target. He emphasized that reaching 100% electric car sales will require more than just regulation—it will need strong political support.

Factors such as a reliable and widespread charging network, as well as affordable electricity prices, are critical to making electric cars attractive to consumers, he said.

Blume also suggested that alternative technologies could help bridge the transition. He mentioned Volkswagen’s interest in electric vehicles equipped with range extenders—small gasoline engines used solely to generate power for the battery, not to drive the wheels— as a possible solution to ease range anxiety among buyers.

The future of internal combustion engines in Europe remains uncertain as automakers debate how to meet the EU’s environmental targets.

Some, including Volkswagen, have already started moving away from earlier commitments to produce only electric vehicles by 2035.

The discussion comes as carmakers and policymakers weigh how infrastructure, consumer behavior, and technological innovation will influence Europe’s path to e-mobility.

Separately, media reports noted that while Volkswagen is pressing workers to accept lower wages amid financial pressures, Blume himself received a salary package equivalent to 72 million Danish kroner (around €9.6 million).