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Volvo Reveals Its Electrification Strategy

(Credit: Volvo)

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Volvo Reveals Its Electrification Strategy

Volvo electric cars concept art

Volvo electric cars concept art (Credit: Volvo)

2019 – that’s the date that Volvo and a sleuth of other automakers will be releasing their first all-electric production vehicles. While many argue that those companies will be too far behind Tesla Motors to compete, others say it will give the competition time to develop compelling alternative technologies.

Volvo has been playing with electrification for a few years, but the company just recently revealed its overarching global strategy. Unlike some other automakers, the Swedes will be applying electric powertrains to its entire vehicle lineup.

2016 Volvo XC90 Twin Engine powertrain

2016 Volvo XC90 Twin Engine powertrain (Credit: Volvo)

That means hybrid powertrains for the company’s 90, 60 and 40 vehicle lines will be coming in the near future. We’ve already seen the plug-in hybrid version of the XC90, and a similar kind of S90 is already confirmed as in the works. Expect that the V90 will be included in the party. Currently in development are plug-in versions of the S60, XC60 and V60. All of the above models will feature all-wheel drive. When the plug-in versions of the S40, V40 and XC40 come around, they will only be available with front-wheel drive. While working on deploying fully-electric models, Volvo is anticipating plug-in hybrids will make up about 10 percent of its total global sales.

Both the platform that supports the 90 and 60 vehicles, plus the one for the 40 models, are designed to accommodate not only plug-in hybrids, but also pure electric powertrains.

Volvo Drive E 3-cylinder hybrid power pack

Volvo Drive E 3-cylinder hybrid power pack (Credit: Volvo )

This aggressive move signals that Volvo believes electric powertrains will no longer be niche a niche technology. According to company executives, data collected from drivers who own Twin Engine Volvos (the plug-in hybrid powertrains) travel around in pure electric mode about half the time.

Among the reasons for this new push is the falling prices of batteries. Volvo also claims the best range per kilowatt hour in the automotive industry, obviously in a move to establish itself as a market leader. Undoubtedly, Tesla fans will have something to say about that, but this jostling is what will push everyone forward toward greater electric vehicle adoption.

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