Swedish car manufacturer Volvo has announced that it will conclude production of diesel-engined cars early next year as it ramps up its plans to establish itself as an electric-only brand by 2030.

At the start of this month, Volvo quietly discarded the final diesel models from its UK range, with only plug-in hybrid, mild-hybrid petrol and full-electric models now on sale here.  While they are still selling diesel powertrains in other markets, they will discontinue offering those models, making it the first significant ‘legacy’ vehicle manufacturer to ditch diesel engines altogether.

For quite a while, Volvo has intended to can its diesel models and previously spun off its traditional combustion engine development business into a company called Aurobay, a collaborative venture with Chinese parent firm Geely.  However, late last year, Volvo sold its stake in Aurobay and confirmed it would no longer spend “a single krona” of its budget on developing new combustion engines.

Confirmation that Volvo will terminate diesel powertrain production by 2024 was announced at Climate Week in New York, marking quite a quick transformation.  As late as 2019, Volvo launched the XC40 Recharge as its first electric vehicle, even though diesel engines powered most of its European models.

But diesel sales in Europe have since declined, partially due to customers revising their tastes due to concerns regarding climate change and the more significant nitrogen oxide emissions of diesel engines, a particular issue in urban towns and cities.

Company boss Jim Rowan stated that “electric powertrains are our future”, asserting that the company is “fully focused on creating a broad portfolio of premium, fully electric cars that deliver on everything our customers expect from a Volvo”.

Volvo plans to launch its new EX30 and EX90 EV-only SUVs in the forthcoming months as part of its switch to an electric-only brand – and a broader goal of becoming a climate-neutral business by 2040.  Rowan added: “What the world needs now, at this critical time for our planet and humanity, is leadership.”

He said political leaders and industry must deliver “meaningful policies and actions” to combat climate change.

Volvo also recently dropped saloon and estate vehicles from its UK range to concentrate on its higher-selling SUV range.

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