Volvo to be all-electric by 2030 with online sales

VOLVO has joined the growing number of manufacturers announcing their permanent conversion to electric power with the Chinese-owned Swedish brand this week confirming it would be a dedicated EV brand by 2030.

By the end of the decade, all internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles within Volvo’s global portfolio will have been phased out, including hybrids, with chief technology officer Henrik Green definitively stating there was “no long-term future for cars with an internal-combustion engine”.

“We are firmly committed to becoming an electric-only car-maker and the transition should happen by 2030,” he said.

“It will allow us to meet the expectations of our customers and be a part of the solution when it comes to fighting climate change.”

Specifically, Volvo is trying to reduce the lifecycle carbon footprint of every one of the cars it produces through “concrete action” like this.

The all-electric announcement also reportedly coincides with the brand’s anticipation of a rapid expansion of ‘accessible high-quality charging infrastructure’ and the subsequent increase in EV acceptance among customers.

According to brand chief executive Hakan Samuelsson, Volvo is jumping ship from a “shrinking business” (ICE) and investing in the future (EVs).

“To remain successful, we need profitable growth,” he said.

“We are fully focused on becoming a leader in the fast-growing premium electric segment.”

What all this means for the Australian market is less clear cut given the severe lack of EV infrastructure as well as the fact we are a ‘deep water’ market, however a Volvo Australia spokesperson has confirmed to GoAuto that local product arrivals will be aligned closer to global launches as more and more stock is sourced from the brand’s Chinese factories.

In the grand scheme of things however and with a new EV planned to be launched each year for the next five years, Volvo will transition to an online-only sales model for its EVs, meaning that by 2030 the entirety of its sales will be online.

The thinking at least is reportedly to reduce the complexity surrounding new-vehicle purchasing and increase transparency when it comes to pricing.

“The future of Volvo Cars is defined by three pillars: electric, online and growth,” head of global commercial operations Lex Kerssemakers said.

“We want to offer our customers peace of mind and a care­free way of having a Volvo, by taking away complexity while getting and driving the car.

“Simplification and convenience are key to everything we do.”

Dealerships will remain open under the new sales model and will continue to cater for the familiar array of sales, vehicle delivery and servicing however it remains to seen for how long in regards to sales once the entire portfolio is electric (and therefore online only).

“Online and off­line need to be fully and seamlessly integrated,” Mr Kerssemakers added.

“Wherever the customer is in their journey – online, in a showroom, in a Volvo Studio, or driving the car – the customer experience needs to be top-notch.”