Leading automakers have signalled their intention to scrap internal combustion engines by 2030 or cut back sharply on their production as the sector turns towards electric vehicles.The latest to unveil plans was German group Daimler, maker of Mercedes Benz and smart cars, which aims to be fully electric before 2030 — five years ahead of a deadline proposed by the European Commission.
- Last year saw numerous developments in the electric-vehicle space, from manufacturers like Tesla, Ford, and Porsche.
- In addition to the developments, carmakers made claims about how fast they'll be introducing new electric and hybrid vehicles over the next few years – partially in response to tightening efficiency and emissions standards.
- Some manufacturers have revised their earlier estimates and are planning to reach electrification targets sooner than expected.
Here is a look at who wants to do what.
Daimler
Plans to invest more than 40 billion euros ($47 billion) to be able to electrify all of its cars by the end of the decade. From 2025, all Mercedes "architectures" the chassis, motor and wheels — are to be 100-percent electric.Daimler also plans to build eight factories to produce the batteries that are the vehicles' key component.
Stellantis
The Stellantis group, which owns brands Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep and Peugeot amongst others, has ditched development of internal combustion engines and plans to invest 30 billion euros to electrify its models by 2025.The Opel division says it will be 100-percent electric in Europe by 2028.Fiat will be, as well, once the price of electric cars is comparable to those with petrol engines, currently estimated to occur between 2025-2030.
Volkswagen
The German giant wants to be the global leader in electric vehicles. Its ID3 model, which was launched in late 2020, is battling Tesla for top spot in the European electric market.VW expects electric vehicles to represent half of all sales by 2030 and "almost 100 percent" by 2040 in its main markets.It has earmarked 73 billion euros in investments and, like Tesla, plans to create a global network of charging stations.VW's high-end Audi brand expects to be 100-percent electric in 2033.
Volvo
Volvo is owned by the Chinese group Geely, and plans to no longer offer internal combustion models, including hybrids, by 2030.The same date applies for Bentley, and Ford in Europe.Volvo chief Hakan Samuelsson told AFP in March that by 2025, "half of our cars will be electric."
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