By Chris Ward, May 21, 2025
BMW’s public stance on EVs suggests the company is forging ahead with next-generation, battery-powered electric vehicles. However, behind the scenes, BMW is lobbying the EU to relax or halt the EV mandate that would ban gasoline-powered cars.
This kind of cold, calculated corporate behaviour—often lacking genuine environmental commitment—is not uncommon among legacy automakers. And now, yet another example of BMW’s greenwashing has emerged—courtesy, of course, of BMW themselves.
The company is currently testing solid-state battery technology, widely regarded as the holy grail of EV innovation. These batteries offer significantly higher energy density per cell, allowing for smaller battery packs, longer driving range, and greater overall efficiency. If solid-state batteries become viable for mass production, the extinction of the Jurassic-fueled combustion engine draws ever closer.
They Still Want To Develop Hydrogen Vehicles?
BMW’s ideal scenario is one in which petrol and diesel vehicle sales continue alongside EVs. The company remains committed even to hydrogen-powered vehicles, despite the technical challenges and the lack of a compelling business case, aside from tapping into government incentives and tax breaks.
It’s understandable why BMW would want to keep internal combustion engines in production; the company has invested hundreds of billions of euros in R&D. But the EU’s Zero CO₂ mandate, which effectively bans gasoline vehicles, is absolute—like a parachutist jumping out of a plane without a parachute.
But don’t feel sorry for BMW—we certainly don’t. It’s increasingly clear that EVs will eventually replace the internal combustion engine. The technology will continue to evolve, battery performance will improve, and new breakthroughs will emerge. Solid-state batteries may lead the charge—or they may one day be surpassed by an entirely new, yet-to-be-discovered battery chemistry.
BMW, for all its carefully choreographed EV testing, isn’t leading the charge—it’s playing catch-up. They want you to believe it’s raining, but in reality, they’re just p… well, telling you it isn’t.