Mercedes-Benz is reconsidering its target to make its lineup fully electric (EV) by 2030 in markets that allow it. According to a new report from Reuters, the company is even increasing its spending on the development of combustion engines, especially with the development of the upcoming facelift of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Initially optimistic about achieving a 100% fully electric lineup where markets allow it by 2030, the company now predicts that it will only be able to achieve 50% electrified vehicles instead (counting in fully electric cars and hybrid cars). The Mercedes-Benz CEO, Olla Källenius was also quoted as saying that the company would keep sprucing up combustion engine models amid slower demand for electric cars.
The company CEO said, “Our engines will always be at the very highest technological level. Otherwise, we would suddenly stall our combustion engine business in 2027/28.” As such, the company has spent “much more than it usually would” on a facelift of the upcoming petrol-powered facelift of the S-Class.
Reportedly, Mercedes-Benz’s spending on the development of combustion engines includes a 14 billion Euro investment into its passenger cars. The company has injected more investments into its factories, research & development, and reworking the drivetrain of its hybrid cars so that it “lasts well into the next decade”.
The news doesn’t really come as a surprise as previous decisions by Mercedes-Benz have foreshadowed a U-turn in its electrification strategy. Some of the previous U-turns include the return of the “gun sight” logo on the Mercedes-Benz EQS facelift and the discontinuation of the “EQ” prefix for the new G-Class (with the new G580 with EQ technology).
In Malaysia, Mercedes-Benz has introduced the full lineup of its EV offerings with the EQA, EQB, EQC, EQE, EQS, EQE SUV, and EQS SUV. The EQE and EQE SUV were recently updated with new variants.
