Volvo cars to go all-electric by 2030

Volvo Cars will sell only all-electric vehicles by 2030 and cut out dealerships as it moves to online selling.

All models using traditional petrol and diesel engines - even in hybrid electric drivetrains - will be phased out by that date, the Swedish car business said, saying such vehicles had “no future”.

Ending sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines comes as the industry faces up to a future driven by less polluting forms of power.

From 2030, sales of cars solely powered by petrol or diesel engines will be banned in the UK and other countries are expected to follow suit.

Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo chief executive, said: “To remain successful, we need profitable growth. So instead of investing in a shrinking business, we choose to invest in the future - electric and online.

“We are fully focused on becoming a leader in the fast-growing premium electric segment.”

In 2017 Volvo was the first major manufacturer to say all its cars would offer an electric option within two years, with a target of half of all sales being fully electric by 2025 and also revealed an ambition of going all electric.

Setting the 2030 deadline for itself makes Volvo the first manufacturer to commit to ending production of cars with conventional engines by this date.

Moving to a central sales model will mean an end to haggling over pricing, but dealerships will be kept as showrooms.

This means that as well as ordering online, cars can be specified and bought at showrooms, which will also be used as centres for delivery and servicing.

The revamp of its sales process will also include an expansion of Volvo’s leasing and subscription systems, where customers pay a monthly price that includes servicing and insurance.

Later on Tuesday Volvo will reveal its newest all-electric car.

Henrik Green, chief technology officer, said: “There is no long-term future for cars with an internal combustion engine.

“We are firmly committed to becoming an electric-only car maker and the transition should happen by 2030.

“It will allow us to meet the expectations of our customers and be a part of the solution when it comes to fighting climate change.”