Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller has dismissed calls for a postponement of the combustion engine phase-out, arguing that backtracking would erode trust and ultimately cost jobs. In remarks to ntv and “Der Stern”, Lohscheller urged caution against revisiting past approaches, advocating instead for investment in the future of electric mobility.
He indicated that consumers are increasingly understanding and embracing the transition to electric vehicles. The comments come amid growing skepticism surrounding the EU-wide ban on the registration of new cars with internal combustion engines starting in 2035, a stance recently voiced by Markus Söder (CSU) and garnering support within the CDU.
Lohscheller also expressed reservations regarding the upcoming automotive summit convened by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). He cautioned that frequent policy shifts and additional summits would be counterproductive, emphasizing the need for stable and clear regulatory frameworks enabling companies to effectively plan and invest.
Currently, all new vehicles registered within the EU are subject to CO2 emission limits, with a permissible average of 93.6 grams per kilometer. These limits are being progressively reduced towards zero grams per kilometer, effectively prohibiting the sale of new combustion engine vehicles after 2035.
These emission targets are embedded in the “Fit-for-55” package, a policy initiative aimed at placing the EU on a trajectory to limit climate change to just above two degrees Celsius. A recent ruling by the International Court of Justice underscored that nations exceeding the 1.5-degree threshold could face legal claims for damages.
