Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will stop developing combustion engines. At least for the time being, as meeting the European targets for CO2 emissions in 2021 will be a “significant challenge,” according to Ola Kallenius, Daimler’s CEO, quoted by Reuters.
After the launch of a new series of six-cylinder combustion engines, which we encounter in the E and S-Class, among others, the manufacturer stops developing such powertrains, as revealed by Daimler’s development manager Markus Schäfer, quoted by Auto Motor Sport. The full focus is on, how could it be otherwise, electrification. Daimler also says it is going to work on its own battery development and transmissions. “The total budget for research remains at a high level,” says Schäfer.
After the unveiling of the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQC last year, there are already several new electric models in the queue, like the EQA based on the A-Class and the Vision EQS which is a preview of an electric brother of the S-Class. Schäfer says new developments of combustion engines in the future are not excluded.
The EU decided stricter regulations for combustion engines
Last year, the European Union decided on future CO2 emission targets for 2020, and all car manufacturers should have an average CO2 emissions of 95 grams per kilometer for its range. Analysts have calculated that certain car manufacturers will have major problems in the context of EU-set emissions.
Against the background of preparations in this regard, Daimler’s CEO argues that compliance with CO2 emissions in 2021 will be a “significant challenge.” “We have all the right vehicles to reach those targets. However, we cannot impose on customers what to buy, “said Ola Kallenius.
According to Kallenius, customers are still opting for Mercedes SUVs, which have now reached a third of sales: “The trend of increasing SUV sales has not changed in the last 25 years.” And this is a problem for Daimler in its quest for meeting the European targets for CO2 emissions, since SUVs are polluting more.
