Mercedes Vows To Build Petrol Cars ‘Well Into’ 2030s Due To Slow Demand For Electric Vehicles

Mercedes-Benz seems to be putting brakes on EV push after announcing plans to build petrol cars ‘well into’ 2030s.

Plans to cater to different customer needs, whether it’s an EV drivetrain or an electrified combustion engine, until well into the 2030s.

Its decision comes amid declining demand for EVs, compared to their gas-powered equivalent like the iconic G-Class and S-Class.

During its Roadshow Presentation, Mercedes said it expected EVs and plug-in hybrids to make up 50 percent of sales by the late 2020s.

German luxury car company, Mercedes-Benz AG, seems to be watering down its targets to have fully electric lineup by the end of the decade after announcing plans to make petrol cars “well into the 2030s”.

Speaking to Bloomberg Television, CEO Ola Kallenius admitted that the era when Electric Vehicles (EVs) would cost as much as the petrol-powered equivalent was still “many years away… you can see that in the pricing”, adding that it needs to protect the value of its vehicles for the customer’s sake.

• See Also : Mercedes-Benz Group Announces Solid 2023 Financial Results

“I don’t think anyone ever thought that the transformation of the auto industry would be a straight line. There will be peaks and troughs, and things like [development] of charging infrastructure and other enabling factors will determine how the market develops.”

During its Roadshow Presentation, Mercedes-Benz said it expected electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to make up 50 percent of sales by the late 2020s, adding that it will keep building petrol hybrids into the next decade.

“The company plans to be in a position to cater to different customer needs, whether it’s an all-electric drivetrain or an electrified combustion engine, until well into the 2030s,” Mercedes said.

Mercedes-Benz’s decision comes amid declining demand and sales of battery-powered electric vehicles, compared to their fast-selling gas-powered equivalent like the iconic G-Class and the S-Class.

• See Also : INEOS Reveals G-Class-inspired Fusilier, An All-electric 4X4 With Gas-powered Range-extender Option