After Toyota, Mercedes Moves Back to Combustion Engines
‘Electrification is on the go’. This is probably the loudest heard whisper these days. Still, bigger brands like Toyota, BMW, and now Mercedes are showing their skepticism about going all-electric. Possible reasons for postponing their zero-emission plans include prioritizing profit over the environment, uncertainty in the electric charging technology, costly infrastructure, and unending demand for traditional cars.
Challenges With EVs
“Perhaps there is too much optimism related to EVs in the industry”, Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes, shared. The German automaker believes in slowing down its pace to go completely electric as it requires heavy production and development costs, limitations in driving range, and restricted charging infrastructure. A few months ago, the OEM also declared that it would need approximately 40 million euros of investment if it plans for complete electrification by 2030.
Mercedes Targets a 300,000 sales Figure
In a meeting, the automaker emphasized two future strategies: making more affordable models and making fewer electric vehicles that will possibly help Mercedes reach the 300,000 sales target in the U.S. only. Although the company hasn’t completely given up on EVs for now, it is focusing on putting profit over the environment. This decision might put questions on the automaker’s negative environmental impacts, but risking the company’s long-term economic benefits upon the environment looks like an unrealistic approach.
Mercedes Plans to Expand Vehicle Lineup
Keeping in view consumer demands, Mercedes vows to bring an extensive lineup of traditional combustion engine and hybrid vehicles this year. Twenty-five new or uplifted models plan to hit the market, which will include an expansion of S-Class and GLE lineups. Some of these models will also be introduced in a plug-in hybrid variant. However, an electric GLC crossover is in the plan too.
EVs or no EVs, the auto industry is self-juggling with its decision to electrification. What do you think this chaos will result in? Let us know in the comments below.