Volkswagen believes the shift from internal combustion vehicles to electric cars will happen naturally over time, comparing it to the transition from horses to automobiles more than a century ago. Speaking to Auto Express, Volkswagen sales and marketing boss Martin Sander argued that the industry focuses too heavily on bans and regulations instead of convincing buyers why EVs make sense in the first place. According to him, customers will eventually move to electric vehicles because they see clear advantages, not because governments force them to.
Focus On The Benefits, Not Bans
Sander illustrated his point with an unusual comparison. He noted that horses were never formally banned; you can still buy one today. Yet they largely disappeared from daily transportation as people embraced a more practical alternative. He argued the same could happen with electric vehicles. Rather than constantly discussing deadlines for ending combustion-engine sales, Sander believes automakers and policymakers should focus on improving charging infrastructure, lowering energy costs, and highlighting the benefits of EV ownership. “Over time, more and more customers will be convinced,” he told Auto Express. But that doesn’t mean combustion vehicles will disappear entirely. Just as horses remain popular for recreation today, Sander suggested there could still be a very small group of buyers interested in combustion-powered vehicles long after electrification becomes mainstream.
The Industry’s Electric Push
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Volkswagen isn’t alone. Many mainstream European brands have recently expanded their EV lineups. BMW is preparing to launch its new i3 sedan, which the company claims can do 559 miles on a charge and add up to 249 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz CLA EV recently exceeded its EPA rating during independent testing, covering 385 miles on a full charge. Rising fuel prices have also pushed some previously sceptical motorists to reconsider electric alternatives. Still, the transition is far from complete. Volkswagen itself has built some of the most celebrated combustion-powered cars in history, including the Golf GTI. EVs are not flawless either. While they eliminate many components associated with traditional engines and generally require less maintenance, they remain vulnerable to software glitches, battery-related defects, and recalls, just like conventional ICE cars.
Not Everyone Is Convinced
Despite growing investment in electric vehicles and Sander’s prediction, adoption remains uneven. J.D. Power discovered that 26% of new car buyers were “very likely” to consider an EV, yet EV sales growth in the United States has slowed compared with the rapid gains seen in previous years. Many consumers still have concerns about charging infrastructure, pricing, battery replacements, and long-distance usability – the lack of tax incentives also plays a role. Volkswagen’s view is that those concerns will gradually fade as the technology improves. Whether the comparison to horses proves accurate remains to be seen, but the German automaker clearly believes the future of personal transportation will be increasingly electric.
