DS Automobiles to go all-electric for new models from 2024
DS Automobiles has committed to only launching 100% electric models from 2024, starting with the new DS 4.
It advances the existing plans, announced in November 2020 after the UK government revealed the 2030 ICE ban, to solely offer plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles from 2025.
All of the current DS line-up are on sale with an electrified version, including a fully electric DS 3 Crossback and a plug-in hybrid DS 7 Crossback; its electrified models accounted for 30% of registrations in 2020 and the brand said it had the lowest average CO2 emissions (83.1g/km) among ‘multi-energy’ brands in Europe.
The newly launched DS 9 executive saloon includes a PHEV model too, while the DS 4 will arrive at the end of 2021 and feature a PHEV version and joined by a fully electric model by 2024. This will be followed by a brand-new design in the form of Stellantis’ first fully electric project, based on the new STLA Medium platform and fitted with up to a 104kWh battery to give a range of 700km (435 miles).
The announcement comes as parent firm Stellantis – formed from the merger of PSA and FCA in January 2021 – presses ahead with an accelerated EV strategy announced earlier this year. It’s planning to invest more than €30bn (£25.8bn) through 2025 in electrification and software, and build five gigafactories in Europe and North America by 2030. Sister brand Vauxhall has already committed to going all-electric by 2028 while Fiat will follow in 2030.
DS Automobiles will also work on reducing on the industrial carbon footprint of its industry as part of a general focus by Stellantis in this area.
Béatrice Foucher, CEO, DS Automobiles, said: “The next developments in legislation and the EV ecosystem provide opportunities that we want to offer to our customers who already like our electrified range. I took the decision to speed up the development to create a new 100% electric art of travel, desirable in terms of enjoyment and remarkable in terms of quality and performance; a new art of travel, steadfastly high tech and still just as refined.”