Thursday 6 July 2017

All new Volvo cars to be electric or hybrid from 2019

All new cars sold by Volvo will only be battery-powered from 2019.

The car manufacturer will launch five pure electric cars between 2019 and 2021 and ensure the rest of its conventional petrol or diesel range offers a hybrid engine of some form.

Volvo, owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely, currently sells five plug-in hybrid models but has yet to build a 100% electric car.

It believes the “technology is ripe, the price is right and our customers are ready” for pure electric vehicles.

The announcement is part of Volvo's commitment to minimise its environmental impact, aiming to have climate-neutral manufacturing operations by 2025.

Hakan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Car Group said: “We are determined to be the first premium car makers to move our entire portfolio of vehicles into electrification. This is a clear commitment towards reducing our carbon footprint as well as contributing to a better air quality in our cities.

“We are convinced that the future of Volvo is electric and that's why we have stated the bold commitment to bring our one million Twin Engine cars or all electric cars on the roads till 2025.”