After we learned last week that from 2026 Audi no longer plans to launch new combustion-engine models, now Ingolstadt brand Executive Director Markus Duesmann has revealed when Audi plans to “abandon” for complete fossil fuels.
At a climate conference held in Berlin, Markus Duesmann reinforced Audi's commitment to electrification and named 2033 as the year in which the German brand plans to stop producing combustion engine models. However, there is an exception to this “abandonment”.
Bearing in mind that, according to Audi, after 2033 the demand for models with combustion engine in China should remain, the brand is considering the possibility of continuing to sell models with thermal engines in that market. However these will be produced locally.
More than banning, the secret is in the technology
Despite pointing to 2033 as the year in which it plans to stop producing combustion-engine models, Audi admits that “the exact timing of the discontinuation of the combustion engine at Audi will ultimately be decided by customers and by legislation”. In other words, it will be in 2033, but it may even be sooner (later it seems unlikely).
About the “weight” of governments in this transition, Duesmann was very clear, saying: “I don't believe in the success of the bans. I believe in the success of technology and innovation”.
As you would expect, being focused on becoming a 100% electric brand, Audi has already announced that it will strengthen its range of models powered by electrons. The goal is, by 2025, to have 20 100% electric models in its range.
Still, Audi confirmed that until it discontinues combustion engines it will continue to invest in them, improving them to achieve higher levels of efficiency. About this bet, Duesmann promised: "the latest internal combustion engine from Audi will be the best we've ever built."