Finally, Volkswagen will not kill the combustion engine in Europe in 2033

The plans we knew until now for the transition to electric mobility at Volkswagen, and at its sister brand Audi, involved saying goodbye to the combustion engine for good in the European market from the year 2033. However, the current situation of the car market could affect these plans, according to some German media outlets, and it is no longer ruled out that, from that date onwards, the production of certain specific models with combustion engines from both brands will be maintained.

According to reports, Volkswagen could make a decision on this matter during the company’s next investment planning round, which will take place in early March. The company could then decide to extend the commercial life of some models with combustion engines by launching a “restyling“, thus altering its initial plans. This could be the case for the Golf, the T-Roc or the Tiguan, but also for models such as the Audi A3.

It seems that the German manufacturer’s intention is now to extend their sale, at least until 2035. Because, unless there is a last-minute change, that is when the European Union’s ban on selling vehicles that are not Zero Emission will come into force. German media also refer to the possibility that this date could be postponed, and in that case they claim that Volkswagen could extend the sale of these mentioned models with combustion engines for even longer.

A look back

The commitment by Volkswagen to become a fully electric brand in Europe from 2033 dates back to October 2022, when the brand’s head, Thomas Schäfer, brought forward the previously set target of exiting the combustion vehicle business in Europe between 2033 and 2035. It is important to make it clear, however, that all of this applies only to the European Union market, since in other regions such as China or North America, the German manufacturer intends to keep selling some models with combustion engines for longer.

Likewise, in the case of Audi, the Ingolstadt firm set an even earlier date from which it would become an exclusively electric brand, without exceeding the year 2033 under any circumstances. Three and a half years ago, the German manufacturer announced its intention to gradually phase out the production of its combustion engines, so that they would disappear completely in Europe by that date. In any case, and just like Volkswagen, the company has never ruled out the possibility of selling models with combustion engines in other regions in the following years.