► Volvo’s major strategy statement
► Every Volvo will be electric from 2019
► Mix of hybrids and full EVs
As statements go, it’s pretty bold: Volvo Cars said today that every car it sells will have electric motors by 2019.
It’s worth pointing out this doesn’t mean every Volvo will be a full electric vehicle (EV).
Rather, every model in the range will be either hybridised or full EV by the end of the decade – emphasising the Swedes’ embrace of all things electric. Petrol and diesel engines aren’t quite ready to be dropped just yet…
What does the Volvo EV statement mean?
Volvo is readying five full EVs for launch between 2019 and 2021, it confirmed in today’s announcement: three will be badged Volvo and a pair will wear the newly announced Polestar branding and be full high-performance EVs.
Click here to see how Volvo is spinning off Polestar as a standalone electric sports car brand
Every other Volvo on sale globally will be either petrol or diesel plug-in hybrid models, with mild-hybrid 48-volt options ‘on all models.’
The company said in a statement: ‘This means that there will in future be no Volvo cars without an electric motor, as pure internal combustion engine (ICE) cars are gradually phased out and replaced by ICE cars that are enhanced with electrified options.’
The boss speaks: an electric future for Volvo
‘This is about the customer,’ said Håkan Samuelsson (illustrated above for CAR magazine), president and chief executive of Volvo Cars. ‘People increasingly demand electrified cars, and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs. You can now pick and choose whichever electrified Volvo you wish.
‘This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion engine-powered car. Volvo Cars has stated that 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.’
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