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Audi Is Considering Keeping ICE Cars For A Longer Period Of Time
Audi is another brand that states that sales of cars with internal combustion engines (ICE cars) could continue beyond the previously scheduled deadline.
In 2021, Audi announced that it would go electric by 2033, but is now considering keeping ICE vehicles in its lineup for a longer period.
Speaking to Top Gear magazine, Audi CEO Gernot Dolner stressed that the German luxury brand must remain “flexible”. He made this statement in the context of a potential decision by the European Union to delay its goal of banning the sale of new cars that produce harmful emissions until 2035. However, Dolner added that electric vehicles are the only long-term path.
“Legislation now says a car has to be locally zero-emission, and even e-fuels don’t help because they’re not locally zero-emission. If we, as humans, believe we need a change regarding CO2, the only way is a battery vehicle. The Paris Agreement says we will need CO2 neutrality in 2050.”
Meanwhile, Audi is increasing its focus on offering plug-in hybrids. All future cars with gasoline engines will include a PHEV option. Dolner acknowledged that these partially electrified powertrains will remain on offer for longer than planned, as the transition to fully electric vehicles is not progressing as quickly as originally expected.
