Volkswagen Group is working towards carbon-neutral combustion engines, seeing petrol and diesel as a vital technology despite plans for mass electrification of its model range over the next decade.

Matthias Müller, chairman, Volkswagen Group

Speaking at an event before the Frankfurt Motor Show, chairman of the Group’s board of management, Matthias Müller, said all diesel engines will feature Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) going forward, and the group will use particulate filters on new petrol engines.

The Group is also investing in synthetic fuels, both petrol and diesel, which he said could make the combustion engine carbon-neutral.

“For the time being, we will be offering the entire powertrain spectrum – from conventional to fully-electric – to enable sustainable and affordable mass mobility,” said Müller. “We are not being arbitrary. We are listening to the voice of reason.”

In parallel with developments to the combustion engine, the Group will offer part-electric drivetrains across its entire portfolio – which includes Lamborghini and Bugatti – by 2030. This will include 50 electric vehicles, and 30 plug-in hybrids, by 2025, anticipating around a quarter of its global sales (3m vehicles) will be plug-ins by that point. Mild hybridisation is likely to be the most common technology used in the interim.

“We have got the message and we will deliver. This is not some vague declaration of intent. It is a strong self-commitment which, from today, becomes the yardstick by which we measure our performance. The transformation in our industry is unstoppable. And we will lead that transformation,” said Müller.

For more of the latest industry news click here.