► Polestar boss speaks out against potential ICE car delay
► Believes it could harm jobs
► And if the EU car industry doesn’t invest then others with
The European car industry needs to keep its current EU emissions targets as delaying it would endanger jobs and play into the hands of other global car makers, according to Polestar’s CEO.
Speaking at the Munich motor show, where the new Polestar 5 was revealed, Michael Lohscheller was very outspoken about the need for the EU to hold its course on 2035 emissions targets.
Earlier this week, over 150 bosses from Europe’s electric car industry signed a letter urging the EU not to postpone its zero-emissions targets for cars and van, with executives from Polestar and Volvo being particularly outspoken on the divisive subject.
It follows a separate letter in August from other European car manufacturers and suppliers to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen saying that the 2035 EU ban on ICE verhicles was no longer feasible.
Lohscheller, who has previously held CEO roles at Opel and Vinfast, said in previous jobs he was ‘heavily criticised’ for not having enough EVs, yet ‘fast-forward a few years and everyone is saying ‘let’s postpone that’.’
‘I think it’s completely the wrong way because first of all, the future of mobility is what? Without emissions. If we don’t agree on that then we have a dispute.’
Other European carmakers, including Stellantis, are pushing for the ICE car ban to be delayed until 2040, but EV-maker Polestar unsurprisingly thinks this isn’t the right course.
‘I can’t see postponing it by five years is helping anything because we have to do the transformation anyhow, we might as well do it sooner. The best thing to do would be to hold the course and make no compromises,’ he said.
Lohscheller prides Polestar on being a Swedish and European firm, though its first car will not be produced in the region until 2028 with the Polestar 7, the CEO is very passionate about the region and its ability to lead from the front in the EV transition.
‘Wouldn’t it be fantastic if Europe and the UK and everyone would lead on this and so many more opportunities will come out of this. The argument [against EVs] is always ‘well some jobs might disappear’, but postponing it by five years might even endanger more jobs. So I think changes are inevitable and let’s address them right away.’
‘If we don’t do it, others will do it for us. So I don’t buy those arguments. Maybe one company cannot invest, okay, fine, but other companies will find a way, and I could mention 15 to you who can do it.’
New cars editor, car reviewer, news hound, avid car detailer
By Ted Welford
New cars editor for CAR and Parkers. Loves a car auction. Enjoys making things shiny
