One by one, automakers are backing off on the ambitious electric model goals they announced a few years ago. Audi is the latest to acknowledge that sales of cars with internal combustion engines may continue beyond the predetermined end date.
In 2021, the four-wheeled brand promised to switch to an electric-only range by 2033, but is now considering keeping combustion engine cars in its range for longer.
In a recent interview, Audi CEO Gernot Dollner stressed that the German luxury brand must remain “flexible”. He made the statement amid a possible decision by the European Union to delay its goal of banning sales of new cars with internal combustion engines by 2035.
As he said:
Legislation now says cars must be zero-emission, and synthetic fuel doesn’t help because it’s zero-emissions. If we as humanity believe we need a change to CO2 – and looking at the weather, we need to – a battery car is the only way. The Paris Agreement says we will need CO2 neutrality by 2050.
Meanwhile, Audi is increasing its focus on plug-in hybrid cars, and all of its future combustion engine cars will include a PHEV option. Dollner acknowledged that plug-in hybrids will remain in his company’s lineup for longer than planned, as the transition to all-electric models is not progressing as quickly as originally expected.
Source: www.autoblog.gr
