As of: February 26, 2024, 2:50 p.m
By: Simon Mones
Comments
Press
Split
Sales figures for electric cars are falling.
Mercedes boss Ola Källenius reacts.
Combustion engines could still play a role after 2030.
If the EU has its way, no new combustion engines will be allowed to be sold from 2035.
Mercedes-Benz even announced that it would not include any new gasoline or diesel engines in its portfolio from 2030.
However, the market has now changed drastically.
The environmental bonus has been canceled and sales of electric cars are falling.
Mercedes boss Ola Källenius also thinks about this.
The new WhatsApp channel from 24auto.de is here!
Current news, useful tips & tricks as well as strange stories from the internet about cars can be found on our Whatsapp channel: Click here to go directly to
Automania.
Mercedes boss Källenius promises: combustion engines will also be on offer after 2030
In an interview with Die
Zeit
, the Swede explained that it goes without saying that Mercedes customers will still be able to buy a combustion engine after 2030.
Nevertheless, Mercedes wants to “lay the foundation for a fully electric portfolio in all vehicle classes this decade,” said Källenius.
However, it is not known exactly when the last combustion engine will be built.
Mercedes boss Ola Källenius wants to continue selling combustion engines after 2030.
© Sven Simon/Imago
This is also in the hands of the buyers.
“Our product range is fundamentally based on customer requirements and will always be at the cutting edge of technology – this also includes combustion engines well into the 1930s.
And plug-in hybrids whose battery is sufficient for an emission-free everyday life and where you can use the combustion engine for long journeys at the weekend,” emphasizes the Mercedes boss.
Electric car sales are collapsing: the industry was too optimistic
With a view to the slump in sales of electric cars and the abrupt end of funding, the Swede is self-critical: “Perhaps there was a bit too much optimism in the entire industry, now there is more realism.” But on the same line, you can use combustion engines, Build plug-in hybrids and electric cars.
You can find even more exciting car topics in the free newsletter from our partner 24auto.de.
And the end of combustion engines from 2035 is no longer set in stone for Källenius.
“The EU’s plan is to first take stock in 2026 and then see what is feasible and what is not.” Accordingly, the Mercedes boss is in favor of “having an objective discussion.”