As you know if you follow automotive news closely, Europe has opened the door to synthetic fuels with the possibility “support” heat engines even after 2035. Germany and Italy especially weighed the scales so that the EU would consider this energy as climate neutral.

If some manufacturers intend to take advantage of this, such as Porsche, Audi or Lamborghini and of course Ferrari, this will not happen with Mercedes, at least in the era of Ola Kellenius, the boss of the brand. The latter recently announced during an interview with a German newspaper that Mercedes will continue to give preference to electric engines.

This decision is based on the belief: there is electricity “technically better” heat engines on synthetic fuel.

Strategic changes are not visible

Ola Kellenius insisted that Mercedes’ strategy will not change immediately: “Four years ago, we announced that our new fleet of vehicles throughout the production chain should become CO2 neutral.₂ until 2039. This is our goal. We still see great potential: by the end of the decade, electrics will surpass the internal combustion engine in terms of performance.”

Nevertheless, Mercedes continues to work on heat engines, as evidenced by the new Mercedes E-Class presented a few days ago. However, all engines, with a few exceptions, are now electrified, with either micro-hybrid or battery hybrid versions.

Ola Kellenius also clarified that Mercedes is trying to meet the Euro-7 standard, adding that by 2026 investment in heat engines will be reduced by about 80%. The leader also announced that the Chinese market will undoubtedly be the last where the thermal Mercedes will be available, of course in the form of plug-in hybrids, thanks in particular to the cooperation with the Chinese group Geely.

The development of electricity goes through several aspects

Then, during the interview, the German leader talked about the charging infrastructure: “It should be developed as soon as possible and we should do everything to promote the production of green electricity”.

Another sensitive issue is the strategy adopted for the supply of raw materials, lithium at the top of the list. Mercedes also recently signed an agreement with German-Canadian startup Rock Tech Lithium to open a lithium hydroxide production line at a German factory in Guben.

“The creation of lithium mining and processing facilities is a large-scale industrial undertaking. Not all of these raw materials will be extracted in Europe. For this we need trade agreements with Canada, South America and Australia. Here we need the support of the state.”– added Ola Kellenius.