Following international media reports earlier this week, stating that Audi plans to launch its last combustion-engined model by 2026, the German carmaker has made it official, while also confirming an end-date for production of ICE cars.
Speaking at a Climate Neutrality Foundation conference on Tuesday, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann said that production of Audi’s final “completely newly developed combustion engine model” would commence in 2025 and that from 2026 onwards the company would only release purely electric models onto the global market. Following that, Audi says it will gradually phase out the production of internal combustion engines until 2033. However there could be a reprieve for markets such as China, where Audi still sees demand for ICE vehicles continuing beyond 2033. Audi says it could continue building internal combustion cars in China beyond that date, depending on demand and legislation, but there’s no word on whether other markets such as South Africa would receive these models too.
“I don’t believe in the success of bans. I believe in the success of technology and innovation,” Audi CEO Duesmann said. To that end, the company is planning a significant expansion of its all-electric range, and plans to have at least 20 electric models in its line-up by 2025.
“With this roadmap, we are creating the clarity necessary to make a decisive and powerful transition to the electric age. We’re sending the signal that Audi is ready,” Duesmann added.
However, the Audi CEO also promised that the company’s last internal combustion engine would be the best it has ever built.
