Ford is contemplating the continuation of gas-powered vehicles and hybrids in Europe beyond 2030, a departure from its earlier commitment to an all-electric lineup in the region, the Detroit automaker announced on Thursday.
The company had previously stated its intention for an all-electric lineup in Europe by the end of the decade, as outlined in 2021. However, Ford now believes it is necessary to provide customers with internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicle options beyond 2030 due to the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Europe.
“As EV adoption in Europe has slowed, we believe we need to offer our customers ICE (internal combustion engine) and hybrid vehicle options beyond 2030,” Ford said, indicating a shift in strategy.
Ford emphasized that it is closely monitoring the situation and will adapt as necessary. The surge in demand for hybrid vehicles over the past year, which serve as a bridge between gas-powered vehicles and EVs, has prompted automakers to reconsider their electric vehicle plans. Additionally, a lack of charging infrastructure in Europe has deterred some buyers from making the switch to EVs.
Despite these challenges, global automakers are continuing to work towards transitioning their gasoline-powered lineups to all-electric power, driven by pressure to reduce vehicle emissions and meet environmental targets.
