Volvo to manufacture only electric vehicles from 2019

Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars has revealed that every vehicle it launches from 2019 will be electric, halting production of those with full internal combustion engines (ICE).    

Volvo Cars intend to launch a new portfolio that will include electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles.

Volvo Cars president and chief executive Håkan Samuelsson said: "This is about the customer. 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."

The manufacturer added that it will be launching five fully electric models between 2019 and 2021, comprising of three  Volvo-made models, and two being high-performance electrified vehicles from performance arm Polestar. 

The five cars will be complemented by petrol as well as diesel plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid 48V options on all models. This will mean that the future cars from Volvo will have an electric motor, as the company is planning to gradually phase out pure ICE vehicles.

Samuelsson added: “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 one million electrified cars by 2025. When we said it we meant it. This is how we are going to do it.”

The announcement underlines Volvo Cars’ commitment to minimise its environmental impact and making the cities of the future cleaner.

The decision also complements Volvo’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions of both its products as well as its operations in order to make cities as well as future cleaner.

The company also aims to have climate neutral manufacturing operations by 2025.