The German automaker Daimler will be ready to go all-electric before 2030 and, to achieve this, will invest 40 billion euros over the decade, he announced on Thursday.

The maker of Mercedes-Benz plans to open eight factories around the world for battery cells, the key component of electric cars.

We're committed to full and rapid electrification of our products.

Catch up on all we announced at the Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update:



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- Daimler AG (@Daimler) July 22, 2021

This decision is a sign of the accelerated abandonment by the automotive sector of traditional fuels against a backdrop of increasingly stringent environmental standards.

"We will be ready if the markets turn entirely to electric by the end of the decade," notes Ola Källenius, boss of Daimler, presenting a "fundamental reallocation of capital" at a time when a historic split in the group.

"China must play a key role"

By the end of the year, Daimler intends to IPO its heavy truck business Daimler Trucks, which has become autonomous.

For the automobile branch Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans, Daimler will in total devote at least 40 billion in less than ten years to electrification.

Investments in thermal and hybrid technologies will drop by 80% between 2019 and 2026.

Mercedes now expects a share of hybrid and electric cars in global sales of at least 50% in 2025, down from 25% previously. "China must play a key role in the accelerated electrification strategy," says the manufacturer of the luxury S-Class, whose electric model EQS was unveiled in April. The key to this strategy: from 2025, Mercedes will only launch “architectures” - the technical basis of a vehicle that accommodates the engine, wheel and chassis - 100% electric.

It will also acquire the British start-up YASA, specializing in electric motors.

Daimler has not specified either the deadline or the location for its eight "gigabytes" of battery cells that the group intends to install around the world to cover its needs.

Despite electrification, Daimler intends to maintain the level of its margins, adds the group.

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