All new Volvo models to be electrified from 2019

VOLVO has announced every new model it launches from 2019 will feature some form of electrification, as the Swedish car-maker moves to abandon traditional internal combustion engines.

Electric motors will be employed by a mix of mild (MHEVs) and plug-in (PHEVs) hybrids, as well as full-electric vehicles (EVs), with every product in the range to eventually be available with one of these.

Interestingly, the hybrid powertrains will be paired with either petrol or diesel units, which contradicts recent comments from Volvo Cars president and chief executive Hakan Samuelsson.

Speaking to German publication Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in May, Mr Samuelsson said oil-burners will be dropped from the brand’s line-up due to the cost of reducing nitrogen oxide emissions for tightening regulations.

However, in a separate statement to Reuters, he clarified diesel technologies would continue to be a part of Volvo’s immediate product strategy, delaying any sort of discontinuation decision.

Hence, this latest announcement reaffirms the future of the manufacturer’s oil-burning models, with the two hybrid setups offering diesel powerplants a lifeline.

All of Volvo’s MHEVs will be supplemented by a 48-volt electrical system, similar to that of the Audi SQ7 large SUV and soon-to-be-revealed A8 luxury limo.

Mr Samuelsson said the decision to have an all-electric range was “about the customer,” while keeping the future of motoring firmly in mind.

“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,” he said.

Pure internal combustion engines will be gradually phased out in favour of those with an electric motor, leading the company to an electrified future where it will sell a total of one million units by 2025.

Last month, the company revealed its Polestar performance arm will become a standalone sub-brand that only offers electrified vehicles, with rival Tesla firmly on the radar.

Volvo Cars senior vice-president of design Thomas Ingenlath will lead Polestar as its chief executive officer.

Of the five EVs the car-maker plans to launch between 2019 and 2021, two will be high-performance vehicles badged as Polestars, while the other three are said to fall under the Volvo banner.

This newest decision solidifies Volvo’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact, with an aim to have climate neutral manufacturing operations by 2025, as well as minimising the carbon dioxide emissions of its models.

Currently, the company only offers one electrified model in Australia, the XC90 T8 PHEV, which pairs a twin-charged four-cylinder petrol unit with a 65kW electric motor for a total system output of 300kW/640Nm.