Volvo recently bid farewell to diesel cars, marking a significant shift towards electrification and sustainable mobility. At their plant in Torslanda, Sweden, the last diesel-powered passenger vehicle, an XC90 SUV, rolled off the production line.
This event follows Volvo's earlier announcement at Climate Week in New York City in September 2023 about their decision to discontinue diesel vehicle production. Similarly, in their Ghent plant in Belgium, the V60 sedan was the final model powered by diesel, marking another milestone in Volvo's transition.
According to Volvo, this shift signals a transformative era driven by accelerating environmental regulations, heightened customer concern for climate change impact, and a push for cleaner urban air. Just five years ago, diesel vehicles dominated Europe's automotive landscape, while electric cars were just gaining traction.
Fast forward to today, and Volvo has pivoted significantly, with electrified cars, including hybrids, comprising a vast majority of their European sales. The company has seen a substantial surge of 70% in sales of fully electric models in the past year alone. Notably, Volvo New Zealand has already phased out diesel vehicles from its lineup.
Reflecting on their diesel legacy, Volvo's milestones are a testament to their commitment to innovation and sustainability. From the introduction of their first-ever six-cylinder diesel engine for passenger cars in 1979 to advancements in self-built diesel engines and the development of pioneering plug-in hybrids, Volvo has been at the forefront of diesel engine evolution. Noteworthy accomplishments include the Drive-E lineup featuring environmentally conscious 1.6-liter diesel engines in 2008, the introduction of the world's first plug-in hybrid with a diesel engine in the V60 D6 in 2012, and the successful Volvo Engine Architecture introduced in 2013.
In 2023, Volvo's strategic shift was made definitive by divesting its stake in Aurobay, the joint-venture combustion engine company with parent company Geely Holding, symbolizing the conclusion of their combustion engine chapter. Volvo's transition away from diesel vehicles underscores its unwavering commitment to sustainable mobility, innovation, and environmental responsibility, aligning with its vision to forge a cleaner and greener future for the automotive industry.
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