Daimler Trucks says no plans to stop developing internal combustion engines

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Updated Sep 25, 2019
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When news breaks that a company that practically invented something plans to cease fine-tuning it after nearly 130 years, it tends to grab headlines. The problem with last week’s headlines that Daimler AG had decided to stop development of its fossil fuel engines was that they weren’t exactly accurate.

German magazine Auto Motor und Sport earlier this month credited Daimler development boss Markus Schäfer with saying the company does not plan to develop next-generation combustion engines as the company shifts its focus to electric powertrains. That quickly spread through various outlets and EV blogs. But on Monday, Daimler pushed back at the notion.

“Daimler AG has not made any decision to opt out of the development of internal combustion engines,” said Fred Ligouri, external communications manager at Daimler Trucks North America, “Same is true for Daimler Truck and Bus and DTNA.”

Ligouri notes that Daimler – which is currently introducing its newest generation engines into its passenger car lineup – has a goal is emission-free mobility for passenger cars, and earlier this year announced Ambition2039 with the aim to deliver a completely CO2-neutral new passenger car fleet in the next two decades.

In August – 14 months after announcing its intent to develop a Class 8 electric truck – DTNA delivered its first two Freightliner eCascadia models to representatives from Penske Truck Leasing and NFI at a ceremony in Yountville, Calif.

Jason Cannon has written about trucking and transportation for more than a decade and serves as Chief Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal. A Class A CDL holder, Jason is a graduate of the Porsche Sport Driving School, an honorary Duckmaster at The Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee, and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Reach him at [email protected]