Hyundai Becomes Latest Automaker to Stop Developing New Internal Combustion Powertrains
【Summary】To free up some resources to invest in electric vehicles, Hyundai will cut the number of models in its lineup that are powered by fossil fuels by 50 percent.

While consumers may be slow to make the switch from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric ones, automakers aren't wasting any time by focusing their efforts on battery-powered powertrains. Numerous automakers have announced plans to stop upgrading internal combustion engines, and another one has joined the group. Hyundai recently announced that it would stop developing gasoline powertrains. The South Korean automaker is also taking things to another level by cutting the number of internal-combustion models in its lineup.
Half Of Gas-Powered Cars Will Get Cut
According to a report by Reuters, two unnamed sources claim Hyundai will be cutting 50 percent of internal-combustion models from its lineup as a way to free up resources to invest in electric vehicles. The strategy was approved by management at the top level in March.
"It is an important business move, which first and foremost allows the release of R&D resources to focus on the rest: electric motors, batteries, fuel cells," said the anonymous source.
While Hyundai has no plans to develop new gasoline-vehicle powertrains, the automaker will focus on improving the efficiency of its existing internal combustion powertrains. For consumers that aren't ready to switch to an electric vehicle, that's good news, as Hyundai won't be giving up on gasoline engines.
Why Make A Dramatic Decision?
There are a few reasons for Hyundai's decision to cut half of its internal combustion lineup and stop developing new internal combustion engines. For one, electric vehicles are incredibly expensive to develop, as automakers have not started to make money on EVs yet. Second, stricter CO2 emissions in Europe and China are forcing automakers to accelerate their electric vehicle plans. Compared to other countries, the U.S. is far behind others in forcing automakers into coming out with efficient vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, has some large plans for its electric future. The automaker wants to sell one million EVs per year by 2025. By that year, the automaker wants to have a 10 percent share of the global EV market. Last year, Hyundai announced a bold plan to come out with 23 electric vehicles by 2025. Kia is working on coming out with seven new electric vehicles by 2027. Genesis' electrified plans aren't as readily available or as exciting, though the luxury brand recently came out with its first electrified vehicle with the Electrified G80 sedan.
A few other companies have announced similar plans to stop producing new gasoline powerplants, like Daimler, Volkswagen, and Audi. Other automakers, like Porsche, are looking for ways to keep the internal combustion engine alive by coming out with eco-friendly fuels.
-
Honda Teases Prologue EV With GM Ultium Platform and Battery
-
Cadillac Announces Pricing For 2023 Lyriq Electric SUV, Open Order Books
-
Tesla is Now Offering the Model Y With New '4680' Battery Cells
-
Electric Truck Startup Bollinger Motors Partners With Roush on Commercial Platforms For EVs
-
BMW Looking to Launch a New Modular EV Platform by 2025
-
Volkswagen to Revive Scout Name With Fully-Electric Off-Roaders
-
Microsoft Partners With Volkswagen To Test Its HoloLens 2 AR Headsets
-
Supply of 2022 Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen EVs Sold Out
- China’s Tesla Rival NIO Begins Deliveries of its New ET7 Flagship Electric Sedan
- WiTricity's Halo Upgrade is an Aftermarket, Wireless EV Charging Solution
- The State-of-the Art Meridian Audio System in the Kia EV6 Transforms the Cabin into an Immersive, Interactive Digital Space
- Elon Musk's Newly Acquired Stake in Twitter is Even Bigger Than its Co-founder and Former CEO Jack Dorsey
- Researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea Say They’ve Uncovered the Key to Safer EV Batteries
- Jeep’s First Electric SUV Coming in 2023, But it Won’t Be a Wrangler
- China’s Baidu Receives the First-Ever Permit to Operate its ‘Apollo Go’ Robotaxi Service in Beijing Without Safety Drivers Onboard
- Subaru Announces Major Integration of Location Technology From what3words for Address-Free Navigation
- Motional Kicks off its Robot Food Delivery Pilot With Uber Eats in Southern California
- Ford Motor Co to Recall 737,000 Vehicles, Including the New Bronco, for Oil Leaks, Trailer Brake Control Software