Volvo could drop internal combustion engines – report
Volvo may have committed to an expansive roll-out of hybrid models, but its CEO has said the brand could switch solely to battery-electric models if demand is high enough.
Just last year, the Chinese-owned Swedish brand announced its aim to have battery-electric vehicles account for 50 per cent of all global sales by 2025.
Beyond that, CEO Hakan Sammuelson has told Auto Express it’s a matter of “when” not “if” Volvo chooses to axe internal-combustion engines.
Sammuelson added, “The higher the percentage of all electric [sales], the faster we will shut down the others. If only five per cent are buying cars with combustion it probably doesn’t pay to keep that – so let’s see what the customers prefer long-term.”
From this year onwards, all new Volvos will feature electrified drivetrains, from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrids.
Volvo recently revealed its first battery-electric car, the XC40 Recharge. The small crossover uses an electric motor on each axle and a 78kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with total system output of 300kW and 660Nm.
Under the tougher WLTP standards, the Recharge has an estimated range of 400km.
The XC40 Recharge will be followed by a new battery-electric model every 12 months between now and 2025. Volvo will use the Recharge name on both plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
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