Electric Future For Alfa Romeo?

Alfa Romeo has hinted that its entire model line-up will feature some form of electrification by 2020.

Such a move would align the Italian manufacturer, part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), with other car makers such as Volvo, BMW and Mercedes-Benz – all of which have confirmed plans to electrify their products by the early- to mid-2020s.

Increasingly strict emissions regulations and the UK government’s plans to ban the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040 will no doubt have a strong influence over Alfa Romeo’s electric plans.

Speaking at the UK launch of the new Stelvio SUV, Alfa Romeo country manager Andrew Tracey said: “I think you can expect an electrified version of everything.

“By 2020, no one will meet the regulations unless they have some sort of alternative powertrain technology. We have tests and pilots going on in the US across FCA.

“That will inevitably come to Europe and the UK within that sort of timescale.”

This means that electrified versions of the Giulia saloon and Stelvio SUV could be just around the corner.

It would seem that plans for electrification are also in the works in the wider FCA group, which incorporates brands such as Fiat, Maserati and Jeep.

In August, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA, suggested one of the organisation’s brands is likely to enter the Formula E race series. Reports indicate that Maserati, whose cars will be electrified by 2019, is pitted to be a strong favourite to take on the electric race series.