Daimler ditches ICE for EVs

Daimler is abandoning any further development on internal combustion engines (ICE) to concentrate on electrics.

German magazine Auto Motor und Sport quotes Daimler development chief Markus Schaefer saying it has no plans to develop a next-generation combustion engine, focusing on new electric powertrains instead.

That’s brought praise in a tweet from Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk, congratulating Daimler and quipping “Electric is the future”.

Electric is the future! Congratulations Daimler!! https://t.co/Zg2VSj4tjO

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 19, 2019

It’s unlikely to be a complete end to ICE work for Daimler though, Schaefer reportedly saying it still might work on some specific parts to improve existing engines.

Daimler has now joined a number of automakers investing heavily in electrification, mainly because of some countries introducing or announcing intentions to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040, key cities also banning ICE vehicles in central areas.

Daimler abandons internal combustion engine development to focus on EVshttps://t.co/zWb1Gd64XS

— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) September 19, 2019

A few years ago, Mercedes announced it wanted to have an electric version of each model available by 2022 and this year began production of the Mercedes-Benz EQC electric SUV.