On April 27th, it was reported that Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz, insisted in an interview with the German newspaper “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” that Mercedes-Benz would fully develop electric vehicles and would not invest in synthetic fuel technology, also known as “e-fuel”.
Although governments around the world are enacting regulations declaring the end of gasoline-powered cars, some car manufacturers are attempting to save traditional gasoline cars by using “electronic fuel.” This includes Porsche and BMW, who have even invested in synthetic fuel production centers, but not everyone believes this will be the savior of gasoline technology.
Keenius believes that electric vehicle technology surpasses “electric fuel” in power output, efficiency, durability, and cost, and states that from 2025, all new vehicle architectures will be specifically adjusted for electric drive. He also pointed out that the popularity of electric vehicles requires the establishment of a sound charging infrastructure, which is also an area that Mercedes is investing in.
Karennius’ comments come at a time when Mercedes-Benz is accelerating its shift towards electric vehicles. Currently, Mercedes-Benz offers far more electric models than BMW, Audi, and Porsche.
At the same time, Mercedes-Benz’s top brands are also working hard to consolidate the automaker’s leading position. Recently, Mercedes-Maybach, the automaker’s ultra-luxury brand, launched its first electric model – the Maybach EQS SUV. In addition, AMG, the company’s high-performance brand, is also adding more and more electric models to its product line and is expected to launch its first true electric sports car in the near future. Even the company’s commercial division has launched its first batch of electric products, including an electric semi-trailer and an electric truck.
