While major automobile companies are investing millions into renewable energy, Volkswagen has made a surprise new move. As the world continues to become increasingly concerned about climate change and companies receiving pressure from consumers and government to “go green”, it comes as a surprise that Volkswagen has recently announced their development of a brand new internal combustion engine.
Volkswagen makes surprising move amidst climate concerns
Back in 2015, Volkswagen found themselves in a scandal when they were caught implementing software in their diesel engines to cheat on emissions tests. To try and rectify their image, Volkswagen was prompted to invest billions of dollars into developing and releasing their electrical vehicle models ID.3 and ID.4 in 2019 and 2020. Now, with Volkswagen seeing that their are calmer waters, they are working on a brand new internal combustion engine.
While it may come as a surprise that Volkswagen is investing resources into a new internal combustion engine, especially given current climate concerns and their past scandals with fossil fuels, the German car-brand’s decision may actually be a strategic move. With far-right parties gaining a surprising amount of support in the European Parliament, the first port-of-action may be to reverse the 2035 ban on the sale of fossil-fuel automobiles in the European Union.
This reversal would mean that internal combustion engines are not set to go anywhere anytime soon, and Volkswagen is preparing for the effects. Arno Antlitz, the Volkswagen Group’s chief operating and financial officer, said: “The future is electric, but the past is not over.” Even without the threat of a reversal, many drivers have still not given up on the internal combustion engine, meaning that these engines are still in demand and still service the majority of Volkswagen’s clientele.
Volkswagen has reportedly redirected nearly 65 billion dollars of their R&D budget through to 2027 specifically for internal combustion engines. Prior to the announcement, Volkswagen had stated that they had planned to only sell electric vehicles form 2033. This new investment strategy is a large detour from what Volkswagen originally had in sight for their green engine contributions.
The struggle to let go of fossil fuels
Volkswagen is not the only major automobile brand which is struggling to let go of the internal combustion engine and their reliance on fossil fuels. The Mercedes-Benz group originally planned to completely electric when market conditions allowed, however in February of this year this plans have been changed to have a more flexible strategy to continue the production of internal combustion engines.
Other companies are looking at ways to continue developing the internal combustion engine but using it to run on renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. This has been particularly investigated with the use of hydrogen as a fuel source. If the internal combustion engine can be adapted on a widespread level to run off of hydrogen instead of using fuel-cell technology, it would help significantly in speeding up its widespread adaption as a renewable fuel and complement electric vehicle efforts.
Volkswagen has not given up on green efforts
While Volkswagen has redirected their budget into new internal combustion engine developments, they have not given up entirely on green energy productions. Volkswagen still has plans to develop their own hydrogen vehicle range, as well as continue making advancements with their existing electric vehicles. While the internal combustion engine is probably not going anywhere for some time, Volkswagen still recognizes that to stay competitive in today’s vehicle market, renewable engine solutions need to be developed and offered to consumers.
Volkswagen’s new hydrogen engine patent is being developed jointly with Kraftwerk Tubes and is set to bring a different spin on current hydrogen engine technology.