Audi makes big U-turn on commitment to selling only EVs from 2026

Audi is hitting the brakes on its ambitious plan to be an EV-only maker by 2026.

The German automaker had previously committed to launching only electric vehicles starting that year, but it’s now rethinking the timeline.

Amid slowing for electric cars and rising competition, particularly from Chinese manufacturers, Audi says flexibility is key.

While it’s not abandoning electrification, the road ahead looks a bit more hybrid than originally planned.

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Originally, Audi announced it would stop introducing new combustion engine models after 2026. A full phase-out of internal combustion engines (ICEs) would follow by 2033.

But in a recent update, company executives clarified that while electric cars remain a core part of Audi’s strategy, it will no longer limit itself to launching only electric models post-2026.

CEO Gernot Döllner said that the company is launching a completely new line-up of ICE and hybrid vehicles, and that this will give them up to 10 years to see how markets develop.

“We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past,” he said.

This decision comes amid broader turbulence in the EV sector.

Demand for electric cars has cooled in many markets, with high costs, charging infrastructure gaps, and consumer hesitation slowing adoption.

Of course, EVs continue to dominate in specific markets, like Norway, where nearly 90 percent of cars sold are electric.

And certain manufacturers like BYD clearly have no problems selling EVs, surpassing Tesla in terms of revenue in 2024.

EV growth in Europe has been described as steady but not explosive, prompting traditional automakers like Audi to hedge their bets.

In the meantime, the carmaker plans to introduce over 20 new models by 2026, many of which will be electrified in some form.

For example, the iconic Audi R8 is primed for a 2027 comeback as a plug-in hybrid supercar with a Lamborghini engine.

Despite the pivot, Audi insists it is still committed to sustainability goals and reducing emissions.

Investments in its EV lineup, including upcoming models like the Audi Q6 e-tron, will continue.

The company also plans to expand electric car production capacity at its German and Hungarian factories.

Industry analysts suggest that Audi’s recalibration isn’t a retreat, but rather a tactical shift to scout market changes in the coming years.

So it seems Audi’s original plan for an all-electric 2026 may have been too optimistic.

But the company is still determined to steer toward a greener future, albeit with a few pit stops along the way.

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