VW

German brand still bets on diesel

The Volkswagen Group is not only the largest car group in the world, it is the one that is most heavily investing in electric mobility, from one end of the chain to the other. We anticipate a wide range of models exclusively powered by electricity but also investing in the development of battery technology [the brand has confirmed that it is working on different solutions at the same time]. Without forgetting an architecture specifically designed to house root [MEB] batteries and the investment that is being made in the factories, from the creation of new ones to the reconversion of old ones.With all these changes, and bearing in mind the heavy "invoice" resulting from the handling of emissions in diesel, it would be expected that the German manufacturer was among the first to announce the end of the diesel engines. But not.In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess admitted that Dieselgate is still affecting the operations of the brand that, in an attempt to turn the page and close a (sad) chapter of the automobile history, turned to the electric mobility. However, this bet does not mean that the manufacturer's future plans completely set aside conventional mechanics. On the contrary, Volkswagen does not even consider the possibility of a diesel-free future. Diess explains why:Many countries do not have renewable energy. If we do then, diesel will probably continue to be the best option in terms of low-carbon mobility. "But this is only one reason why Volkswagen assumes that it continues to invest in a new generation of diesel engines. The other has to do with the infrastructure which, in many countries, remains uninviting for the adoption of an electric vehicle.Finally, Wolfsburg's builder leader says he believes that electric mobility is something that meets the demands of urban environments, while diesel engines will continue to be the most "rational" choice for those who have to travel long distances without the " trauma 'of autonomy.


Autonews