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Volvo to go all electric by 2030, hastening internal combustion's death

LONDON — VolvoÂ’s entire car lineup will be fully electric by 2030, the Chinese-owned Swedish company said on Tuesday, joining a growing number of carmakers planning to phase out fossil-fuel engines by the end of this decade.   “I am totally convinced there will be no customers who really want to stay with a petrol engine,” Volvo Chief Executive Hakan Samuelsson told reporters when asked about future demand for electric vehicles. “We are convinced that an electric car is more attractive for customers.” The Swedish carmaker said 50% of its global sales should be fully-electric cars by 2025 and the other half hybrid models. Owned by Hangzhou-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Volvo will launch a new family of electric cars in the next few years, all of which will be sold online only. Volvo will unveil its second all-electric model, the C40, later on Tuesday. Samuelsson said Volvo will include wireless upgrades and fixes for its new electric models — an approach pioneered by electric carmaker Tesla Inc. Carmakers are racing to switch to zero-emission models as they face CO2 emissions targets in Europe and China, plus looming bans in some countries on fossil fuel vehicles. Last month, Ford said its lineup in Europe will be fully electric by 2030, while Tata Motors unit Jaguar Land Rover said its luxury Jaguar brand will be entirely electric by 2025 and the carmaker will launch electric models of its entire lineup by 2030. And last November, luxury carmaker Bentley, owned by GermanyÂ’s Volkswagen, said its models would be all electric by 2030. Electrification is expensive for carmakers, and as electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, auto employment is expected to shrink.    Volvo CEO Samuelsson said that industrywide, electrification will mostly affect engine plants and auto suppliers providing everything from oil filters to fuel injectors and spark plugs. “Those are a lot of jobs of course,” he said. “But overall I donÂ’t think there will be a big difference.” Volvo said it will “radically reduce” the complexity of its model line-up and provide customers with transparent pricing. The carmakerÂ’s global network of 2,400 traditional bricks-and-mortar dealers will remain open to service vehicles and to help customers make online orders.

Volvo EM90 unveiled as electric minivan for the Chinese market

Volvo is bringing boxy back with the EM90, its first entry into the minivan segment. Described as a "living room on the move," the people-hauler features an electric drivetrain and a spacious-looking cabin with three rows of seats as well as a long list of technology features. Unverified reports claim that the EM90 is based on the Zeekr 009. Volvo hasn't revealed what's under the sheet metal, but design details such as the shape of the windows and the kink on each sliding door seemingly confirm the connection. However, the EM90 features a look of its own that's characterized by Thor's Hammer-shaped lights on both ends, a body-colored front-end panel with a backlit Volvo emblem, and "VOLVO" lettering on the hatch. Volvo explains that the front's design was inspired by "skyscrapers and cutting-edge immersive art." Road noise-canceling technology and a dual-chamber air suspension system should make the EM90 a comfortable space to travel in. If it's too quiet, Volvo offers a 21-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, 5G connectivity, and a roof-mounted 15.6-inch screen that folds into the headliner when it's not in use. It can be used to display entertainment options via third-party apps and it can project a user's phone. If you'd rather get work done, there are tablets integrated into the individual rear seats and a "meeting room" mode that adjusts the screens, the seats, the windows, the air conditioning, and the interior lighting accordingly. "Theater" and "bedroom" modes are available as well. While the rear occupants are working, watching a movie, or sleeping, the driver faces a digital instrument cluster and a 15.4-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. Several cameras, a millimeter-wave radar, and ultrasonic radars power a wide selection of electronic driving aids. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Power comes from a 268-horsepower electric motor linked to a 116-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Volvo quotes a maximum driving range of up to 458 miles, though it notes that figure was obtained using the Chinese testing cycle. Zero to 62 mph takes 8.3 seconds.  Made in China, the Volvo EM90 is on sale now on the Chinese market. There's no word on whether it will be sold in other countries, Volvo merely said the model is "coming first to China," but we wouldn't bet on seeing it show up in a showroom on our side of the Pacific.

Volvo S60 Polestar Concept looking Smurfy in Jay Leno's Garage

Is it just us, or has Jay Leno's Garage evolved from an intimate, off-the-cuff video series designed to show off the late-night comedian's automobile collection into something a lot more ambitious and... mainstream? This isn't a complaint, exactly, as Leno has been putting out engaging videos at an increasingly furious pace. However, we can't help but note that the subjects have largely graduated from the funnyman's steam-powered eccentricities and forgotten classics to lots of new production and concept cars, often with automaker execs in tow. It's almost as if the series is turning into an internet version of his NBC talk show, one where bigwigs swing by to show off their latest projects as part of their publicity tours, only instead of new movies and albums, it's cars or the occasional motorcycle.
Such is the exactly case with Volvo's stonking S60 Polestar Concept, which makes its appearance in Jay's warehouse of wonders this week. Tuned by in-house skunkworks Polestar, the "Swedish Racing Blue" S60 has certainly been making the rounds as of late, with recent appearances near Leno's garage at the LA Auto Show and an Auto Motor und Sport track faceoff against the BMW M3 and Audi RS4 Avant.
Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that Volvo is so keen to get its showcar in front of the cameras - last we heard, executives were seriously considering a small production run for their unlikely 508-horsepower, all-wheel drive sport sedan, though we continue to hear that realistic pricing is likely to be a roadblock.