Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), has confirmed the Group will phase out diesel cars by 2021 in Europe.

The company, which includes the Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands, says the move is due to the “increasingly hard regulatory environment over emissions.”

Diesel engines will remain in the company’s commercial vehicles and until further notice.

Toyota, Nissan and Volvo have already outlined global plans to end production of diesel models.

Speaking at the FCA Capital Markets day in Balocco, Italy, Marchionne said the company will introduce 30 new electric or hybrid models by 2022, with an investment of more than £7.9 billion.

Petrol engines are expected to remain in the majority of models, with the brand targeting a 60% penetration of electrified models.

In response to the announcement, Morten Thaysen, clean air campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said:

“Diesel is a bad bet. It’s bad for air quality, bad for the climate and ultimately bad for consumers.

“Fiat Chrysler is the latest car company to realise consumers don’t want diesel and bite the bullet.”

Alfa Romeo is expected to ditch diesel completely by 2022 and electrify its entire range.

Plug-in Hybrid models are poised to offer more than 30 miles EV range, and 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds.