After it is Mercedes admitted they were his Electrification targets too ambitious, is now investing an inordinate amount of money in internal combustion engines. In an interview with a German publication Wirtschaftswoche is the CEO Wave Källenius said that internal combustion engine technology will "lasted deep into the thirties of the 21st century". In order to ensure that gasoline engines meet the increasingly stringent regulations, they are necessary large-scale investments.
This year alone, the three-pointed star will only spend on its passenger car division 14 billion euros. Funds are reserved for "high-tech combustion technology", as well as for electrification in digitization. Although the Swedish-German business director did not specify how much Mercedes is spending on the internal combustion engine area, he admitted that it “more money than previously planned”.
Kallenius mentioned the S-Class and the mid-cycle update of Mercedes' flagship scheduled for 2026: "In updating the new S-Class model with an internal combustion engine, we invested much more than we normally spend on a facelift." Mercedes aims to have its conventional powertrains on "highest technological level". Without the huge expenditure on petrol and diesel engines, it would be a luxury brand "in 2027 or 2028 was forced to stop the activity with internal combustion engines".
He had the regulations in mind Euro 7 in China 7 and how engines need to be updated to run cleaner to meet stricter emissions regulations. The goal is for Mercedes to customize everything "suitable combinations of internal combustion engines and transmissions", so that he would not have to pay high fines. Källenius mentioned that future engines will be up to electrified to some extent, so expect even more hybrids in the range.
Mercedes realizes that it must now that transition to electric vehicles does not go according to plan, adjust. Three years ago, he said plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars would account for about 2025 percent of annual sales by 50. However, it is highly unlikely that this will happen. At one point, the company even said that by 2030 in some countries, "where market conditions will allow it", switched to selling only fully electric cars.
He denied rumors that the company was about to cancel platform development for the next generation EQS model: "The project is moving at a fast pace." In addition, they are not abandoning plans for a promised eight gigabyte battery factories to support their electric ambitions. However, the plants will be ready "a little later", as originally planned.
Because we mentioned Eqs, it is worth recalling an interesting report on how Mercedes tested its large electric car with an internal combustion engine that allows for a range extension. The large electric car is said to be equipped with a small two-cylinder, 1,0-liter turbo engine, installed in front. However, the experiments are said to have been stopped.
However, Mercedes concluded an agreement with the company Geely on joint work on hybrid engines, which will also be installed in Volvo models. The Chinese auto giant has expertise in range extenders, including a separate deal with Renault. Newly established department Horse specializes in internal combustion engines, including those developed as range extenders.
