Volvo Has Finally Confirmed The End Of Its Diesel Engines

A year after saying that diesel still had relevance for the future, Volvo has announced a wholesale end to its diesel cars, starting with the imminent new S60.

Pledging to never again launch a new car with a diesel engine, Volvo becomes the latest in a line of car makers to cut the particulate-emitting power units from their ranges. CEO Hakan Samuelsson said:

“Our future is electric and we will no longer develop a new generation of diesel engines. We will phase out cars with only an internal combustion engine, with petrol hybrid versions as a transitional option as we move towards full electrification. The new S60 represents the next step in that commitment.”

Diesel engines in models that still offer them will be allowed to finish their life cycle if demand follows the expected trajectory (downward). If demand drops faster than expected, they could be killed off sooner.

Volvo had already announced that from 2019 every car it launched would have some kind of electrification option within the range. That’s set to include mild hybrids and plug-in cars as well as full EVs.

The S60, which will be revealed in the coming weeks, will be the first Volvo this century to be launched without a diesel option. A plug-in hybrid will join eco-minded four-cylinder petrol engines.

The decision to kill diesel in favour of electrification is said to have been made with one eye on the American market, where diesel is generally unpopular with the average buyer and hybrid is seen as a more exciting, futuristic solution with lower emissions and a smoother ride.

Source: Auto Express