Subaru to Offer Only Electric Vehicles in Europe Starting 2028

After decades of equipping its lineup with the iconic boxer engine, Subaru is set to abandon combustion power in Europe. The automaker will phase out all gasoline and hybrid models by the end of 2027, meaning that from 2028 Subaru will sell only EVs in the region. Subaru Germany confirmed the decision to Auto Motor und Sport, citing two key regulatory pressures.

First, the European Union’s tightening emissions rules have made it difficult for Subaru to keep its combustion and hybrid offerings. The company has therefore decided to drop hybrids in Europe as well, eliminating popular nameplates such as the Crosstrek, Outback, and Impreza.

Second, the cost of adapting Subaru’s existing vehicles to meet increasingly demanding driver‑aid and safety requirements has become prohibitive. The company concluded that the investment required to update the entire fleet would not be justified.

The transition will occur in stages. The Outback will leave the European market before the end of this year, while the remaining combustion models – the Impreza, Crosstrek, and Forester – will exit in 2027. All three of those vehicles currently use a hybridized four‑cylinder engine and are therefore slated for discontinuation.

Electrek reports that Subaru remains open to reintroducing hybrids to the European lineup if regulatory conditions change.

The move does not affect the United States, where EPA regulations are currently more relaxed and automakers face fewer penalties for non‑compliance.

Subaru’s new European strategy will focus on three electric models: the Solterra, the Uncharted, and the E‑Outback. The Uncharted is a front‑wheel‑drive hatch‑like vehicle that can also be ordered with all‑wheel drive, offering a lower price point and decent range for buyers who do not require AWD. The Solterra and the E‑Outback both come standard with all‑wheel drive, but they differ significantly in body shape and cargo capacity.

With all of its future European offerings now electric, Subaru is placing the entire brand’s European future in the EV segment. European buyers will ultimately decide whether this strategy proves successful.