In addition to five new electric cars, Volvo will invest in plug-in hybrids with an extra long electric range and facelifts of existing models.
“We see long-range plug-in hybrids as the perfect bridge to fully electric driving – because they provide the best of both worlds,” Volvo writes to its investors.
During Volvo Cars’ capital market day, product and strategy manager Erik Severinson told us that they have five electric cars in their production plan. The sedan Volvo ES90 will be launched in March 2025 and will then be followed by the medium SUV EX60. The three subsequent electric cars remain secret until further notice.
Not all markets move equally quickly towards electric cars, which is why Volvo Cars believes in hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
Several of today’s models will receive a facelift of the same type as the XC90 with more modern looks and infotainment. From Volvo Cars’ own perspective, it is an inexpensive way to extend the life of a car model.
Volvo will also offer plug-in hybrids with significantly greater electric range than today’s.
“We expect that the percentage of all-electric driving of our hybrids will increase because we will soon offer hybrids with a longer range,” writes Volvo.
By 2030, Volvo Cars expects most of its hybrids to have a long electric range. Then 10 percent are expected to be mild hybrids and the rest plug-in cars.
– These long-charge hybrids will help the transition for Volvo cars globally, but most importantly they are in China where the transition to premium electric cars takes longer, says Erik Severinson.
The question is whether Volvo means serial hybrids when they talk about long-charge hybrids? That is, electric cars with a small petrol engine that charges the battery, a so-called range extender. This type of car (EREV) is popular in China. That remains to be seen.
