Mercedes Says Combustion Engines Stay 10-15 Years
Mercedes-Benz chairman Ola Källenius says combustion engines will remain in the lineup for at least a decade and a half.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Mercedes-Benz Chairman Ola Källenius said the combustion engine will remain for at least 10 to 15 years, speaking at a media roundtable in Pune on November 4. Mercedes has updated its entire combustion lineup, including a new V8, to meet Euro 7 emissions standards.
Why it matters
Källenius said customers who drive 60,000 to 70,000 kilometers a year and light commercial operators are not yet suited to EVs because range and charging downtime do not work for them. The statement signals that the shift to electric mobility is expected to be gradual for heavy-use drivers.
Källenius projected combustion engines will remain for 10 to 15 years and the broader electric transition will take 20 to 25 years. Diesel buyers covering 60,000 to 70,000 kilometers annually are cited as a segment not yet suited to electric vehicles.
The players
Ola Källenius
Chairman of Mercedes-Benz, who leads the automaker's strategy on its transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz
German luxury automaker that has updated its combustion lineup to Euro 7 standards while expanding its electric vehicle range.
The details
Källenius made the remarks at a media roundtable in Pune on November 4. Mercedes updated its full combustion lineup, including a new V8, to meet Euro 7 standards, and the company says it is the first manufacturer to do so; the first wave of its EVs undersold expectations.
Timeline
2020: Mercedes announced it would be ready to go fully electric by decade's end, market conditions permitting.
November 4, 2026: Källenius made the combustion engine statement in Pune.
End of the decade: Mercedes plans an electric alternative across every meaningful model position.
Roadmap
Mercedes is the first manufacturer to update its full combustion lineup to Euro 7 standards, extending the life of internal combustion even as the company commits to electrification by decade's end. The move places Mercedes against rivals as the industry slows its pure-EV timelines under Euro 7 and real-world demand constraints.
Buyers who drive long distances or rely on vehicles for commercial work may find combustion models remain available for the next decade. Those considering an EV should weigh range and charging downtime against their annual mileage.
The takeaway
For high-mileage drivers, combustion vehicles will likely stay a practical option for years, so compare annual driving distance and charging access before committing to an electric model.
Further reading
Explore more on the Electric Vehicles transition shaping automaker strategies worldwide.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Top Speed.
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