Frozen out: Audi launches last ICE in 2026 in EV-only move

Audi has confirmed a German newspaper report it will only launch electric vehicles after 2026.

It will reveal its last new petrol or diesel vehicle in 2026, with its last new internal combustion engine sale (ICE) scheduled for the early 2030s.

The plan means the German luxury carmaker won’t even launch plug-in hybrid vehicles after 2026.

The ambitious timeline places Audi ahead of its German luxury rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the swap to EVs. Benz says it will make the change by 2039, while BMW has yet to nominate a date.

READ MORE: Target EV: The year each car brand promises to go electric

Meanwhile, British luxury brand Jaguar says it will be all-electric by 2025, while Ford-owned Lincoln – Cadillac‘s prime rival and a brand not sold in Australia – says it will get there by 2030.

The Audi timing was initially reported in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, while Der Spiegel subsequently reported it had gained confirmation from Audi management.

The report stated traditional Audi models such as the A3 and A4 will be redesigned and renamed during the transition.

The plan is the responsibility of Audi boss Mark Duesmann, who is said to have presented to Audi’s workers’ council and board on the matter on June 17.

Last March he had made public his desire not to develop any further internal combustion engines, citing EU plans for stricter Euro 7 emissions.

According to the German media reports the last Audi ICE model will be an urban SUV from the Q range.

Audi has already launched internationally the e-Tron, e-Tron GT and Q4 e-Tron battery electric vehicles. It plans to add the A6 e-Tron and Q6 e-Tron in 2022. In Australia it has so far launched the e-Tron SUV.

In 2024 the new-generation Audi Artemis vehicles start arriving, promising better range and performance than current VW Group offerings and a high self-driving capability.