Swedish car manufacturer Volvo has produced its very last diesel-powered car. The vehicle, a XC90 SUV model, was made at the Torslanda factory and won’t even be sold, as it went straight to the Volvo museum in Gothenburg, Sweden. With the end of the production of diesel cars, the company is making a big step towards becoming an electric-only carmaker by 2030.
“For a long time, our diesel engines were synonymous with reliability and efficiency, and they meant a great deal to us for many decades. Indeed, the success of our diesel cars played a significant role in our evolution into a premium brand. Only five years ago, the diesel engine was our bread and butter in Europe, just like it was for most other car makers. The majority of the cars we sold in Europe in 2019 ran on diesel, while electric models were just starting to gain traction. The all-electric direction we’re now heading towards is the right one to take, and we do so with our flag held high”, the company said in a statement.
The European Parliament has already taken a strong position against petrol and diesel powered vehicles. In 2022, it announced a ban on the sales of those vehicles starting from 2035, paving the way for zero-emission cars and vans. That strategy is part of the plan to meet EU’s long-term 2050 climate targets and was supposed to push automakers into putting all their efforts on the development of zero-emission vehicles.
However, over the last few months, the sales of electric vehicles has seen a hit and many car producers are therefore adapting their strategies. Mercedes-Benz, for example, is aiming for 50% of its sales to be electric or hybrid by 2030, which would be five years later than initially planned. Bentley, too, has pushed back its initial plans.
Nonetheless, Volvo seems to be sticking to its agenda, as during the Climate Week NYC of 2023, it announced it would stop the production of diesel vehicles by early 2024, a goal that has now been reached. By 2030, the company wants to be completely electric and thus end the production of vehicles powered by combustion engines of any kind. Since Volvo’s EV sales grew by 70% last year, that seems to be a reachable target.
“Electric powertrains are our future and superior to combustion engines. They generate less noise, less vibration, less servicing costs for our customers, and zero tailpipe emissions,” Jim Rowan, chief executive at Volvo Cars, explained during the Climate Week NYC last year.
