Did you think Mercedes had completely moved away from gasoline? Not at all! | Carscoops

      Mercedes' CEO states that the brand has adjusted its EV strategy.

      As of June 23, 2025, the company has confirmed that its plan now includes continued long-term support for combustion engines.

      The next generation of electric vehicles will utilize new platforms featuring quicker charging and enhanced market coverage.

      While Mercedes-Benz is investing significantly in electric powertrains like many traditional car manufacturers, it does not signify the end for internal combustion engines. In fact, the company anticipates that its gasoline-powered models will remain available longer than initially expected, indicating a more cautious approach to the transition to EVs than previously indicated.

      EVs and ICEs Will Coexist for the Foreseeable Future

      This dual strategy is evident in the brand's forthcoming models. Both the next-gen CLA and the 2026 GLC will be available with either electric or combustion engines, providing consumers with greater options, especially in regions where EV infrastructure is still developing. In a recent discussion with Auto Motor und Sport, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius described this strategy as a “course correction” for the company’s electric roadmap.

      Kallenius shared with the publication, “The electrified high-tech combustion engines will be around longer than we initially anticipated. I believe that for an established manufacturer, the most rational path in the current context is to pursue both technologies and not to ignore one.”

      Still, More EVs Are Coming

      Kallenius did not indicate precisely how much longer combustion engines will be produced, but they are likely to be around well into the next decade. Meanwhile, the number of EVs from Mercedes is expected to rise.

      “The new CLA represents a greeting from the kitchen of an entire family,” he remarked to AMS. “Soon, the core segments will follow with electric versions of the GLC, C-Class, and E-Class. We still have a vast amount planned.”

      The upcoming GLC EV will replace the current EQC, which has not performed as well as the brand had hoped. This second-generation model will compete with BMW’s Neue Klasse iX3 and will be built on the new MB.EA architecture, unlike the new CLA, which will utilize the MMA platform. Notably, MB.EA supports an 800-volt system and aims for charging speeds of up to 320 kW.

      Similar to Porsche's approach with the Macan (currently in North America), Mercedes will offer the electric GLC alongside its combustion-powered counterpart. Although they will not be built on the same platform, both models will coexist, allowing the brand some flexibility during the shift from fuel pumps to electric charging.