Dieter Zetsche, the boss of Mercedes-Benz’ parent company Daimler, confirmed that it will offer an electrified version of every model the company produces by 2022. He also defended the need for diesel engines to meet climate targets.

Speaking at the Frankfurt motor show, Zetsche confirmed that Daimler’s Smart brand would offer an all-electric range by the end of the decade. He added: “By 2022, we’ll have the entire Mercedes-Benz product portfolio in electrified version as well, to offer a maximum of choices for our consumers. The time is right.”

Zetsche also echoed Volkswagen Group chairman, Matthias Muller, in arguing that there was still a place for diesels engines. After admitting the German motor industry had suffered “a loss of trust” in the public view of its ability to provide sustainable mobility, Zetsche confirmed that Daimler was investing €3bn (around Rs 23,000 crore) on new diesel engine technology.

He added that the firm had already developed what he called “the diesel of the future,” which he claimed had already overcome the concerns of the strongest critics. Zetsche added that the world “needed” diesel engines “to meet climate targets,” and added his belief that “public discourse has become more rational” about such engines.