Following reports of Audi phasing out internal combustion engine models, the company has confirmed it is transitioning to an electric-only carmaker. From 2026 onwards, Audi will only launch new electric-only vehicles.

"Audi is ready to make its decisive and powerful move into the electric age," CEO of Audi, Markus Duesmann, said in at the Berlin climate conference.

“Through our innovative strength, we offer individuals sustainable and carbon-neutral mobility options,” Duesmann continued. “I don’t believe in the success of bans. I believe in the success of technology and innovation.”

The exact timing of the combustion engine’s discontinuation at Audi will ultimately be decided by customers and legislation.

In China however, the company expects to see continued demand for combustion engines beyond 2033, which is why there could be a supply of vehicles there with combustion engines manufactured locally.

At the same time, Audi will significantly expand its range of all-electric models. With the new e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron, and Q4 Sportback e-tron models. By 2025, the brand aims to have more than 20 e-models in its lineup.

This suggests that models like the next-generation Audi A4 (presumably the B10), which could debut sometime in 2023, may be the last of kind with an internal combustion engine. Its replacement model will likely be a fully-electric model that is reportedly named the A4 e-tron.

Audi added that the company is investing all its efforts in the development of the combustion engine right up to its final discontinuation, further improving existing generations to achieve greater efficiency with major customer benefits.

“Audi’s last internal combustion engine will be the best we've ever built,” Duesmann said. We’re certainly looking forward to that, Mr Duesmann.

Also read: No more combustion engine models by Audi, electric-only from 2026