Volvo going all electric by 2030
Volvo’s car line-up will be fully electric by 2030 and it is planning to launch a new family of zero-emissions cars, all of which will be sold online only.
The company plans to phase out any cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE), including hybrids, by the end of this decade.
Hakan Samuelsson, chief executive, says: “I am totally convinced there will be no customers who really want to stay with a petrol engine.
“We are convinced that an electric car is more attractive for customers.”
The Swedish-based company has set a target of 50 per cent of its global sales being fully-electric cars by 2025 and the other half hybrid models.
Ben Montgomery, Volvo NZ general manager, says the rapid phasing out of all ICE vehicles acknowledges that the fight against climate change has become one of the company’s highest priorities.
“Volvo is in an exciting place to develop sustainable options and be fully electrified by 2030,” he adds. “In fact, in NZ we will be the first premium brand to stop selling diesel and will be rolling out more MHEVs and PHEVs shortly.
“The first of the fully electric models is set to become available to Kiwis within the coming year.”
Volvo Cars’ transition towards becoming a fully electric carmaker is part of its climate plan, which seeks to reduce the lifecycle carbon footprint per vehicle.
The move towards full electrification comes together with an increased focus on online sales. The carmaker’s global network of 2,400 traditional bricks-and-mortar dealers will remain open to service vehicles and to help customers place orders.
“To remain successful, we need profitable growth,” adds Samuelsson. “So instead of investing in a shrinking business, we choose to invest in the future – electric and online.
“We are fully focused on becoming a leader in the fast-growing premium electric segment.”
A growing number of carmakers are switching to zero-emissions models as they face increasingly tough carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions targets in Europe and China, plus looming bans in some countries on ICE vehicles.
Ford’s line-up in Europe will be fully electric by 2030, while Jaguar Land Rover says its Jaguar brand will be all electric by 2025 and the carmaker will launch e-models of its entire range by 2030.
Bentley also plans for its models to be all electric by the end of the decade.
