No more new diesel Volvo cars globally

Volvo has officially called time on diesel engines for its passenger cars and SUVs, axing them from its global line-up early next year as it prepares to go fully electric by 2030.

While that might come as a shock to some readers, Volvo Car Australia is already ahead of its parent company, having culled diesel cars from our market in 2021 as it moves towards becoming an all-electric brand by 2026.

But the end-date at a global level remains a significant milestone for the Chinese-owned Swedish brand.

“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 Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan.

“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.”

Diesel engines have long been coveted for their superior fuel economy and strong pulling power, but are also associated with high levels of harmful emissions.

“Only four years ago, the diesel engine was our bread and butter in Europe, as was the case for most other car-makers,” Volvo said in a statement.

“The majority of cars we sold on the continent in 2019 were powered by a diesel engine, while electrified models were only just beginning to make their mark.

“That trend has largely inverted itself since then, driven by changing market demand, tighter emission regulations as well as our focus on electrification.”

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