Subaru will stop selling gas-powered vehicles in Europe no later than 2027, switching to an all-electric lineup, the automaker confirmed to Auto Motor und sport. The company sold just 23,000 vehicles and held a 0.2 percent market share in the bloc last year, but models like the Outback and WRX have cult followings among off-road and tuning enthusiasts. Losing them, along with other models that use Subaru's famous "boxer" engines, will carry real symbolic weight.
The first gasoline model to be discontinued will be the emblematic Outback at the end of this year. The Impreza, Crosstrek and Forester will follow in 2027. Starting in 2028, Subaru will offer just three models in the EU, all electric: the Solterra, E-Outback (Trailseeker in the US) and Uncharted. Those were developed in collaboration with Toyota, based on the b Z4X, b Z4X Touring and C-HR+ EVs.
Subaru said the switch is driven by Europe's restrictive regulations on CO2 fleet emissions and required driver assistance and safety systems. The EU has mandated that cars built between 2025 and 2034 must average 93.6 grams of CO2 per km, a 15 percent reduction from 2021 levels. The bloc also requires all passenger cars and vans to feature Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems and enhanced emergency braking as of July 7, 2026.
Subaru also revealed that it will develop its own EV technology separately from Toyota for its next-generation electric cars. The new platform includes a new battery, electric motor technology and an integrated control unit for over-the-air updates. "By developing vehicles in-house and having EV technologies on our own, we can quickly deliver to our customers the peace of mind and driving pleasure that define Subaru, even in this era of change," said Subaru's VP of engineering, Takatomo Watamori.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing