Volvo boss Hakan Samuelsson says the firm will become a fully electric car brand within the next 20 years – with the exact timeline will be determined by customer demand.
The firm has just unveiled its first electric model, the XC40 Recharge, and is aiming for EVs to account for half of its sales by 2025. The firm will unveil one full electric car per year between now and then, while every new car it launches will feature an electrified powertrain.
Asked whether it was a case of if or when Volvo become an electric-only brand, Samuelsson said: “It’s when.” But he added: “the ones who will decide [the timing] in the end are the customers. The higher the percentage of all-electric cars the faster we will shut down the combustion engine [programme]. If only a small percent [of sales] are combustion engines we will probably stop faster.”
Asked if he had a prediction on when thet point would be reached, Samuelsson highlighted Volvo’s vision to become carbon neutral by 2040, noting “that would be impossible if you still have combustion engines. Let’s see if that vision comes true.”
Volvo has yet to confirm which EVs will follow the XC40, but is committed to offering electric versions of existing models, rather than launching electric-only machines as some rivals are doing. To do that it is developing platforms that can accept both full electric and hybrid powertrains.
The XC40 is built on the firm’s new Compact Modular Architecture platform, while Volvo is also working on a new version of its larger platform, called SPA2, which is currently used for the Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90 and Volvo S60 models. That platform is due in 2021 or 2022, and will likely first be seen on the next-generation XC90 large SUV.
Sister firm Polestar, with which Volvo shares architectures and development, is currently finalising the Polestar 2, which is built on the CMA platform, and is working on a large SUV-style machine that will be badged the Polestar 3, making it likely the second Volvo EV will be a similar-sized machine.
The XC40 is the only model currently based on the CMA platform, but Samuelsson said that “I wouldn’t rule out that we will expand that with other models of this size.” He added that the firm could also consider introducing new nameplates comprised of smaller and bigger cars in the future.
Read more
Volvo to offer free electricity to plug-in hybrid buyers
Join the debate
Add your comment
If this is the direction that
Volvo look like a very well
Volvo look like a very well run company these days. All their investments seem to be paying off and they know who they are and what their customers want.
Aside from maybe the five pot in the old 850, no one ever bought a Volvo for its engine.
Of course, what will really drive acceptance of EVs is better batteries.
Wow, must remember that one
I'll stick that one on the fridge next to 'No one will be killed in a new Volvo from 2021'
Christ, that’s ambitious
They're presenting themselves as the big eco brand, yet still think they'll be making ICE cars in 20 years time? Somehow I don't think the young audience they're pitching at are going to buy that.