Is this the end of the combustion engine?
Automakers continue to deliver devastating news for combustion-engine lovers. Volkswagen has informed Automobilwoche it is not planning to develop new combustion engines, following Audi ‘s lead. Ralf Brandstaetter, VW CEO, stated that the company will focus on improving its existing powertrain lineup in order to comply with tighter Euro 7 emission regulations.
This is the beginning of the end for the combustion engine. However, it will not disappear overnight. VW revealed earlier this month that it will double its 2030 EV sales goal in Europe but it also plans to keep selling a core set of gas-powered products, including the Golf, Passat, T-Roc and Tiguan. These models will get the next-generation model, but they will be made to be as efficient and cost-effective as possible.
Brandstaetter stated to the publication that it would use profits from its combustion-powered cars as a way to finance its move into electric vehicle production. It has ambitious sales targets for 2030. The company wants to reach 70 percent in Europe, and more than 50% in China and the USA.
The announcement by VW comes just days after Audi boss Markus Duesmann had announced a similar plan to its combustion engines. Duesmann also stated that the company would be pursuing new powertrain development. Audi was promoted to the top of the R&D department at VW Group last year.
VW is not the only automaker to announce that it will phase out gasoline-powered vehicles. Volvo announced that it will stop making ICE-powered cars by 2030. GM has set a 2035 transition date for gas-to-electric. Ford also announced that it would only sell EVs in Europe from 2030. Not every automaker is eager to electrify. Porsche, a VW Group member will electrify the 911 before 2030. But what happens after that?