Some form of electric propulsion will feature in every Maserati Car from 2019, according to parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne. He also stated to investors that the brand would spearhead the wider group’s push to electric - half of the FCA's range will be powered in some form using electric power by 2022.
Swedish carmaker, Volvo also recently announced that every car it launches from 2019 onwards will feature an electric motor and the company also stated that it will launch five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021.
FCA's portfolio also includes Fiat, Jeep, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler and Dodge, which will all be part of the electrification process. Marchionne also stated that the company will shift its investment in internal combustion powertrains to electric after “it completes the development of its next two models”.
Maserati will work on making several of its current models into hybrids, with the Levante SUV most likely to feature a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Maserati Europe boss Giulio Pastore stated, “The current platform allows for hybrid. We are working on it for 2019, when we will be ready to offer hybridisation."
Marchionne said that FCA was hesitant about the electrification of its cars until now due to uncertainty, stating, “We [FCA] have been reluctant to embrace that avenue until we saw a clearer path forward."