Powertrain and Fuel

The Volkswagen Group has developed a fuel and powertrain strategy in response to the challenges of sustainable mobility.

Evolution not revolution

There is no ultimate engine that is appropriate for all vehicles and all driving situations. Even the differing demands of long-distance versus short-trip mobility require different solutions in the quest to achieve an increased use of renewable energy sources.

The concepts of protecting the environment and conserving resources are gaining significance in society. At the same time, individual mobility must remain affordable. Economic imperatives, technical possibilities, basic social conditions and various customer demands do not allow for clear-cut solutions. For us, as a responsible automotive manufacturer, finding a balance between ecological demands, economic necessities and customer needs is now more important than ever.

In the continued further development of the Group-wide engine and fuel strategy, our Volkswagen researchers and developers are faced with challenging tasks. Attractive and affordable vehicles have to be developed to meet the most varied needs. At the same time, the car of the future should be as economical as possible in the face of dwindling (and therefore increasingly more expensive) energy resources. Plus, emissions (CO2, particulate matter, noise etc.) must be further reduced.



Comprehensive concept

These conditions require a comprehensive concept that is based on the principle of sustainability. Volkswagen’s engine and fuel strategy caters to these demands, revealing revolutionary paths to CO2-free mobility. In this process, electric drive systems play just as important a role as highly efficient combustion engines or combinations of the two. Both drive systems should rely more heavily on renewable energy sources, since the suitability of a technology is essentially dependent upon the generation of the energy it uses. That is why Volkswagen supports – in addition to the supply of the necessary drive technologies – the development and increased usage of environmentally friendly fuels and energy sources, such as the increased use of biogenic fuels and the integration of renewable electricity in mobility.