In the first four months of 2026, fully electric vehicles accounted for 20.9 percent of new car registrations in Europe, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). While this represents a growing adoption, the majority of consumers have yet to fully embrace electric mobility. Volkswagen sees this transition as a gradual process, where awareness of electric vehicles’ advantages will naturally replace combustion-engine cars.
Volkswagen’s approach contrasts with the focus on regulatory bans. The European Union initially proposed a 2035 cutoff for new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, though pressure from the automotive industry has softened this plan. Rather than emphasizing restrictions, Volkswagen wants to highlight why electric cars are simply better for everyday use.
Focus on Benefits Rather Than Bans
Martin Sander, Member of Volkswagen’s Executive Board for Sales, Marketing, and After Sales, told Auto Express that discussions about banning ICE vehicles miss the broader picture. According to Sander, “Somehow, over time, more and more people realized that for actually getting from A to B, a vehicle is much better than a horse. [Today] I look out of the window: not many horses – it’s predominantly cars. This is why I hate the discussion about the ICE ban.”
Sander argued that convincing consumers requires demonstrating the advantages of electric vehicles rather than relying on deadlines or restrictions. He emphasized that people have become accustomed to ICE cars over decades, and the transition will be smoother if it is motivated by clear benefits. According to Volkswagen, EV adoption is better achieved through persuasion rather than compulsion.
The Role of EU Regulations
The EU now aims to reduce fleet CO2 emissions by 90 percent by 2035 compared with 2021 levels, effectively leaving only a limited path for combustion-engine vehicles. According to the Motor1, only a few ICE models are expected to remain viable beyond the middle of the next decade.
Volkswagen believes that the focus should be on improving charging infrastructure and lowering energy costs, which will make electric cars more appealing without relying solely on regulatory pressure.
Sander noted that discussions about the ICE ban tend to dominate public discourse, potentially overshadowing the actual benefits of EVs. He suggested that a shift in conversation toward performance, convenience, and cost savings could accelerate adoption naturally.
Balancing Ice and EV Development
Despite the anticipated rise of electric vehicles, combustion-engine cars continue to play a crucial role in funding future EV development. Profit margins for many traditional automakers on electric cars remain limited, meaning ICE vehicles are not disappearing overnight. Volkswagen sees today’s ICE sales as enabling investment in tomorrow’s electric technologies.
The automaker’s position reflects a broader industry view that the transition to fully electric mobility will be gradual. By promoting the advantages of EVs and supporting infrastructure improvements, Volkswagen anticipates a natural shift similar to the historical replacement of horses with cars.
Consumers are likely to gravitate toward electric vehicles over time, driven by benefits rather than mandates, but ICE cars will remain a part of the market for the foreseeable future.
