The initial plan was to transition entirely to electric vehicles by 2033, but Audi is now showing flexibility
Automakers are gradually retracting their ambitious EV goals set a few years ago, and Audi is the latest to admit that sales of combustion engine cars might extend beyond the planned cutoff date. In 2021, Audi pledged to switch to electric-only vehicles by 2033, but now it is considering maintaining internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in its lineup for a longer period.
In an interview with Top Gear magazine, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner stressed the need for the German luxury brand to stay “flexible.” This statement was made in light of a potential European Union decision to delay its target of banning sales of new cars with harmful emissions by 2035. However, Döllner, who also leads Technical Development in Ingolstadt, reiterated that EVs remain the long-term solution.
Meanwhile, Audi is intensifying its focus on plug-in hybrid vehicles. All upcoming gas-powered models will feature a PHEV option. Döllner admitted that these partially electrified powertrains will stay in the lineup longer than initially planned, as the transition to fully electric vehicles is not advancing as swiftly as expected.
A few days ago, Porsche, also part of the VW Group, acknowledged that the shift to EVs is slower than expected. Although it aims for electric cars to make up over 80% of sales by the end of the decade, this depends on customer demand. Consequently, the Cayenne will keep its V-8 engine beyond 2030.
Similarly, Bentley, under the VW Group, has delayed its plan to discontinue gas cars from 2030 to 2033. Its first EV, initially set for 2025, has been postponed to 2026 due to “platform-related concerns” and software issues.
Last week, Volvo hinted that internal combustion engines might stay in its lineup into the next decade, despite its 2021 goal to go fully electric by 2030. Volvo still plans to offer an all-electric lineup by then, but slow global EV adoption might require adjustments. CEO Jim Rowan announced further investments in mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids to hedge their bets.
Mercedes, another competitor, revised its goal for PHEVs and EVs to constitute 50% of annual sales from 2025 to the end of the decade. Gas engines will continue to power Mercedes vehicles “well into the 2030s,” moving away from its previous aim of going fully electric by 2030 where market conditions allow.
Outside the luxury market, Ford of Europe will maintain ICE vehicles beyond this decade. COO Marin Gjaja admitted that the goal to sell only electric passenger cars by 2030 was “too ambitious.”
Volkswagen, Audi’s mainstream sister brand, may keep the current-generation Golf with ICE engines until the EU bans new cars with emissions in 2035. The ninth-gen Golf, set to be electric-only, will coexist with the gas-powered Mk8 for many years.
Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, doesn’t foresee a full transition to EVs. Chairman Akio Toyoda recently predicted that EVs will never surpass a 30% market share, emphasizing that “engines will surely remain.” Toyota is developing a new family of inline-four engines and has partnered with Mazda and Subaru to commit to ICE technology with a focus on hybrids and carbon-neutral fuels.
These challenging times for automakers are driven by stricter regulations pushing for EV investments to reduce fleet emissions and avoid penalties, alongside the high costs and inadequate charging infrastructure of electric cars. Consequently, many consumers are holding onto their gas cars or purchasing new ones. If EVs are the future, ICE vehicles are currently essential for funding the development of an emissions-free lineup.
