Swedish-based automaker Volvo Cars has announced that it will end production of all diesel-powered car models by early 2024.
Volvo had already announced plans to sell only fully electric cars by 2030 and to reach climate neutrality by 2040, billed as one of the most ambitious transformation plans of any legacy carmaker.
To further solidify its intentions, the company arrived at Climate Week NYC to announce that it would end production of all diesel-powered Volvo Cars models by early 2024.
“In a few months from now, the last diesel-powered Volvo car will have been built, making Volvo Cars one of the first legacy car makers to take this step,” the carmaker said this week.
“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,” said Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars CEO.
“We’re fully focused on creating a broad portfolio of premium, fully electric cars that deliver on everything our customers expect from a Volvo – and are a key part of our response to climate change.”
“What the world needs now, at this critical time for our planet and humanity, is leadership.
“It is high time for industry and political leaders to be strong and decisive, and deliver meaningful policies and actions to fight climate change. We’re committed to doing our part and encourage our peers as well as political leaders around the globe to do theirs.”
The announcement follows its 2022 decision to offload the development and manufacturing of internal combustion engines to a subsidiary, Aurobay, held by parent company Geely, which Volvo then divested itself from in late 2022.
While this effectively ensures Volvo is able to claim it is no longer developing or investing in internal combustion engine models, its parent company Geely still continues to do so.
Thankfully, Geely is nevertheless still targeting carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2045, meaning that Aurobay’s days are numbered.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.