Alfa Romeo U-turns saying petrol power is okay

The Italian company, Alfa Romeo, said it was going fully electric by 2027 but all that is now changing. 

Alfa Romeo is the latest brand to backtrack on going fully EV in future. The Italian marque, a division of Stellantis, is instead adopting a “multi-energy” strategy, offering petrol, electric, and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Alfa’s NA chief, Chris Feuell, recently told Automotive News that it would be “very challenging” for its 110 North American dealers to survive with a BEV-only portfolio. Sales dropped by 19 percent last year in the US to just 8865 cars so having EVs only would put even more pressure on the dealer network.

Read out Alfa Romeo Tonale review.

When Alfa Romeo said it was going EV-only in North America, it was the same for Europe and China. Whether the company still intends to be an EV-only firm in those regions is unclear. Its former CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato, had said that Alfa can adopt a more diverse powertrain line-up by keeping petrol engines long term if that’s what customers want.

The new boss, Santo Ficili, can launch ICE versions of the Giulia and Stelvio replacements, if he so chooses. They will use the STLA Large platform, which is engineered for gas and electric drivetrains. The SUV is coming later this year, with the sedan due out in 2026.

Alfa Romeo currently has a surfeit of 2024 MY vehicles on its yards in the US, so will be having sales to move them along. A $399 monthly lease deal for the gas-powered Tonale is in the offing.

The Junior crossover isn’t yet sold in America but is being considered to slip in beneath the Tonale. In the EU it sells as a mild-hybrid three-cylinder, 1.2-litre turbo engine or a pure EV.

The company is also working on a new supercar to follow the 33 Stradale. It will also feature a neo-retro design and will go on sale next year. Like the 33 Stradale, this is sure to have electric and petrol powertrain options.