Putting People First on the Road to Lowering Emissions

Jun 11, 2026

Plug-in hybrids give drivers the best of both pure electric and petrol power.

COLOGNE, Germany – Ford of Europe President Jim Baumbick is calling on policymakers to adopt a common-sense path to lowering emissions that rewards drivers for driving electric.

In a statement this week, Jim said: “We all want a cleaner, zero tailpipe-emissions future, but change doesn’t happen overnight. At Ford, we believe the best way to lower emissions isn't through strict regulations — it’s by building vehicles that actually fit into people's real lives, creating a pathway that customers can realistically take and encouraging behaviour change that will have a lasting impact.”

He added that right now, at a time the discussion about future CO2 regulation and the best way to transition to a full electric future, is heating up publicly. Jim said for some customers this is too great a leap, and to ignore this fact would be a mistake.

“If we force everyday families and small businesses to buy a new electric vehicle before they are ready, they will respond by holding onto their older, higher-polluting cars and vans for longer. Just a one per cent drop in people replacing their old cars can lead to a stall in the rate of the reduction in CO₂ emissions equivalent to two million combustion-engined vehicles.

Jim Baumbick, President, Ford Europe, with the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally.

“To get everyone on board, we need a different path — one that offers drivers greater flexibility and rewards them for every mile they drive in electric mode. The quickest route to net zero is the path people actually take, and our incentives need to encourage everyone to engage in the mission. An electric vehicle is the best solution if it works for you today, but for those it doesn’t suit, there must be an alternative.”

Plug-in hybrid technology is one option that gives drivers the best of both worlds: pure electric driving for the daily commute, the ability to charge at a standard power outlet, and a petrol engine for longer road trips.

“Some policymakers look down on hybrids because they worry drivers won't plug them in,” Jim adds. “The problem isn’t the technology, but how we reward its use. Look at Sweden versus the UK. In Sweden, if you charge your hybrid at home, your employer can reimburse you tax-free. Because of this smart incentive, the majority of Swedish PHEV drivers do about 70 per cent of their trips on pure electric power. In the UK, where those incentives don't exist, that number drops to just 10 per cent. Same cars, completely different habits. Sweden rewards the green miles driven, not just the metal sitting in the driveway.

“This practical approach is even more critical for small businesses. A local plumber or delivery driver can't afford to have their van sit idle at an expensive public charger. But if they can charge a hybrid van at home overnight, their running costs plummet to around €3.50 per 160 kilometres, compared to €23 for diesel.

“If we want to reach a zero-carbon emissions world, we must put people first. By making electric mobility more affordable, practical, and rewarding, everyday drivers will help lead the way.”