Volvo Cars will stop selling petrol and diesel cars by the year 2030. The plan will see the Chinese-owned carmaker transition towards a Pure-EV-only line-up. The announcement means that the Sweden-based car company will kill-off all ICE cars — including hybrids — from their model range.
The announcement is the latest from a growing number of car companies opting to invest in an EV-only future. Other brands have issued similar self-imposed ultimatums, with Jaguar setting its sights on a 2025 EV-only deadline, Ford stopping European non-EV sales by 2030, and GM going all-electric by 2035. It adds to Volvo’s previously stated expectation that in 2025, half of total sales would be from Electric cars.
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However, not all brands seem to be on-board with the EV-only idea. The likes of Toyota and Honda appear to shy away from a full-on commitment towards EVs. Such companies are instead focusing on increasing electrification (hybrid-based) and exploring the future of Hydrogen-powered cars.
Not only will Volvo offer pure-EVs only, but in a separate announcement the automaker, said that by 2030 all EV Volvo purchases (i.e., all Volvo cars) would be made online.
However, Volvo says it’s not looking at closing down forecourts, which will remain to service cars, serve as pick-up points, offer advice via showroom representatives, and display certain models. However, those who opt to purchase in-store will be directed to follow the same online procedure as shoppers at home.
Read: Ford To Become An All-Electric Brand In Europe By 2030
By keeping sales centralized, pricing strategy will remain consistent across the brand and locations. It will also eliminate the haggling and bartering that used to be a staple of the buying process. The announcement echoes Volvo sub-brand Polestar’s “Spaces” concept, which also aims to streamline purchases while employing non-commission-based advisors at retail stores.
“The future of Volvo Cars is defined by three pillars: electric, online and growth,” says Lex Kerssemakers, head of global commercial operations. “We want to offer our customers peace of mind and a care-free way of having a Volvo, by taking away complexity while getting and driving the car. Simplification and convenience are key to everything we do.”
