Audi To Stop Manufacturing Internal Combustion Engines By 2033; Will Launch Only EVs 2026 Onwards

Audi has made a bold commitment towards making its transition to renewable energy and for the world's environment - 2026 onwards it will only launch electric vehicles and will begin the phasing out of the internal combustion engine with the last one being manufactured in 2033. Most big-ticket auto manufacturers now believe that electrification is the way to go forward, apart from Toyota and in the premium segment perhaps Ferrari which has been late to the party. The Volkswagen group has particularly been bullish in part forced to do so to clean up its act after the diesel gate fiasco where it had to pay heavy fines and many executives were even jailed. 

For the first time in the automotive industry's history, neither a carmaker from Detroit, Europe, or Japan is the most valuable player. Instead, it is the silicon valley based Tesla and now China is the world's biggest EV market and home to companies like CATL that are the leading supplier of batteries. 

At the Berlin climate conference, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann announced these commitments. 

The Audi e-tron Sportback can do the 0-100 kmph sprint in just 5.7 seconds

"Through our innovative strength, we offer individuals sustainable and carbon-neutral mobility options. I don't believe in the success of bans. I believe in the success of technology and innovation. The exact timing of the combustion engine's discontinuation at Audi will ultimately be decided by customers and legislation. The company expects to see continued demand in China beyond 2033, which is why there could be a supply of vehicles there with combustion engines manufactured locally. At the same time, Audi will significantly expand its range of all-electric models. With the new e-Tron GT, RS e-Tron GT, Q4 e-Tron, and Q4 Sportback e-Tron models, Audi is already launching more electric cars than models with combustion engines this year. By 2025, the brand aims to have more than 20 e-models in its lineup. "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," he said at the conference. Audi is already making EVs with the E-Tron line of vehicles and is also gearing up a bold new reinvention of the A6 based on the E-Tron concept. At carandbike, we are also in the process of testing the E-Tron which has come in for review. 

Volkswagen as a group has made bold investments in new-age battery technologies like its stake in QuantumScape that's developing solid-state batteries. It has invested in battery manufacturing in Europe and charging networks both in North America and Europe. Under the Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen brands, already it is making some interesting EVs. Audi-owned Lamborghini has also now said that it will make the transition to electric vehicles.