Audi Backpedals on EV Pledge, Extends Gas Car Lifespan

PHOTO BY RYAN WEST ON PEXELS

Audi has shifted gears on its electric vehicle plans by extending the production of gas-powered cars. The company pushed back its deadline to go fully electric, signaling a longer lifespan for combustion engines.

This move surprises many who expected Audi to fully commit to EVs sooner. The decision could impact the future of the auto industry and buyers eager for electric options.

Audi Walks Back 2026 EV-Only Plan

Audi has backed away from its goal to become EV-only by 2026. In the following post, Audi confirms that gas-powered models will stay in production until at least 2035, depending on demand and regional conditions:

This shift reverses the 2022 pledge under former CEO Markus Duesmann, who planned to end new gas launches by 2025. Under CEO Gernot Döllner, Audi now intends to keep producing high-performance S and RS variants, alongside models like the A5, A6, and Q3.

The company will use hybrids and flexible strategies to bridge the transition. This approach gives Audi room to adjust as EV adoption lags in some markets.

EV Momentum Meets Market Hesitation

Audi’s EV sales are growing, but not fast enough to support a rapid all-electric shift. In the post below, it’s noted that Audi will now sell internal combustion and plug-in hybrid vehicles for another seven to ten years, joining other brands like Volvo and Porsche in extending ICE timelines:

In Q1 2025, Audi sold 46,371 EVs—outpacing Mercedes but trailing BMW. Still, it discontinued the Q8 E-Tron due to weak demand.

These shifts highlight how market realities—charging gaps, battery costs, and consumer hesitation—are slowing down even ambitious EV plans.

Automakers Brace For EU’s 2035 Deadline

The European Union plans to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, putting pressure on automakers to adapt.

In the post below, Audi reveals it has abandoned its 2033 ICE phaseout target and no longer has a fixed date for ending combustion engine development or sales:

While Mercedes has also delayed its EV-only goals, BMW never committed to phasing out gas models, citing infrastructure gaps and consumer choice. Audi’s revised timeline aligns with these industry peers.