Volvo to go all electric with new models from 2019

by Dramelin 7:00 AM 0 comments

Geely-owned Volvo Car Group said on Wednesday all new models launched from 2019 will be fully electric or hybrids, spelling the eventual end to nearly a century of Volvos powered solely by the internal combustion engine.
The Gothenburg-based company will continue to produce pure combustion-engine Volvos from models launched before that date, but said it would introduce cars across its model line-up that ranged from fully electric cars to plug-in hybrids.
Volvo`s plans make it the first major traditional automaker to set a date for the complete phase-out of combustion-engine-only models though electrification has long been a buzzword across the industry and Elon Musk`s Tesla Motors has been a pure-play battery carmaker from day one.
"This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion engine-powered car," Volvo Cars Chief Executive Hakan Samuelsson said in a statement.
Five new models set to be launched in 2019 through 2021 - three of them Volvos and two Polestar-branded - will all be fully or partially electric.
"These five cars will be supplemented by a range of petrol and diesel plug in hybrid and mild hybrid 48-volt options on all models," Volvo said.
"This means that there will in future be no Volvo cars without an electric motor.
" Volvo has invested heavily in new models and plants since being bought by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group from Ford Motor Co.
in 2010, establishing a niche in a premium auto market dominated by larger rivals such as Daimler`s Mercedes-Benz and BMW.