All Volvo cars to go electric 05 | 07 | 2017
VOLVO HAS PLEDGED to be one of the leaders in the electrification of vehicles by confirming it plans to phase out cars powered solely by internal combustion engines. (Related: Volvo XC60 to start at £37,205)
The Swedish car giant today revealed a major electrification push and product offensive which will see it transform its entire range into hybrid and fully electric vehicles. (Watch our video explaining Volvo's electric plans)
Beginning in two years, Volvo says every car it launches from 2019 onwards will have an electric motor built into its power delivery. The statement clearly puts electrification at the front and centre of everything Volvo makes.
"People increasingly demand electrified cars,” Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars said, “and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs. You can now pick and choose whichever electrified Volvo you wish."
The firm targets to sell a total of one million electrified vehicles by 2025, comprising a range of fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid cars of all shapes and sizes.
A 48-volt electrified architecture, plus a choice of mild or plug-in hybrid assistance mated to both petrol and diesel powertrains, will be offered within Volvo’s upcoming, broad hybrid portfolio. (Related: Roadtest — Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid)
Between 2019 and 2021, it will launch five fully electric cars, three of which will be Volvo models and two of which will be high-performance electrified cars from Polestar, Volvo Cars’ performance car arm.
“This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion engine-powered car,” Samuelsson said. “Volvo Cars has stated it plans to have sold a total of 1m electrified cars by 2025. When we said it, we meant it. This is how we are going to do it.”
Related: Roadtest — Volvo V90 Cross Country D5 Powerpulse
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Jim McGill