New cars from DS Automobiles will only be available with 100% electric powertrains from 2024, the brand has announced.
It says it has decided to pursue the strategy as a pre-emptive measure, anticipating widespread movement to electrification across the car industry over the next few years.
As part of the strategy, DS has announced it will be responsible for the first electric-only vehicle based on the new STLA Medium platform from parent company Stellantis, which also owns brands including Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, and Fiat.
DS has said the new vehicle will feature a battery with a capacity of up to 104kWh, offering a potential driving range of more than 400 miles.
According to DS, the all-electric strategy will build on its position of having had the lowest average CO2 emissions from new car registrations in Europe in 2020, at 83.1g/km, which it attributed to electrified models making up 30% of sales.
The brand already offers electrified versions of all its current models, including the electric DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, and plug-in hybrid DS 4 E-Tense, DS 7 Crossback E-Tense, and DS 9 E-Tense.
Its electric range from 2024 will include a fully-electric version of the DS 4 (pictured), due to go on sale in the UK later this year with petrol and diesel engine options alongside the PHEV version.
In addition to its work with powertrains, DS also says it is working on reducing the carbon footprint of its vehicle production, as part of an approach undertaken by Stellantis, with research said to be continuing as part of an involvement in energy transition through the development of “innovative materials”.
Commenting on the all-electric strategy, DS CEO Beatrice Foucher said: “The car industry is experiencing a change whose breadth and speed are unprecedented. As a pioneer, DS Automobiles has anticipated this move, with electrification at the centre of its strategy.
“The next developments in legislation and the EV ecosystem provide opportunities that we want to offer to our customers who already like our electrified range.
“I took the decision to speed up the development to create a new 100% electric art of travel, desirable in terms of enjoyment and remarkable in terms of quality and performance; a new art of travel, steadfastly high tech and still just as refined. It is a daring plan that will take shape from 2024.”
