Going electric: Carmakers prepare to make the switch

Paris – Leading automakers have signaled their intention to scrap internal combustion engines by 2030 or cut back sharply on their production as the sector turns toward electric vehicles. The latest to unveil plans was German group Daimler, maker of Mercedes Benz and smart cars, which aims to be fully electric before 2030 -- five years ahead of a deadline proposed by the European Commission. Here is a look at who wants to do what. Daimler Plans to invest more than €40 billion ($47 billion) to be able to electrify all of its cars by the end of the decade. From 2025, all Mercedes "architectures" -- the chassis, motor and wheels -- are to be 100% electric. Daimler also plans to build eight factories to produce the batteries that are the vehicles' key component.