Asger Risom
Despite backpedaling on earlier EV targets, Volvo’s chief remains confident that combustion cars will be a thing of the past within a decade.
Despite backpedaling on earlier EV targets, Volvo’s chief remains confident that combustion cars will be a thing of the past within a decade.
Volvo Revises Its Electric Timeline
Once committed to going all-electric by 2030, Volvo now aims for 90–100% of sales to be plug-in or electric by the end of the decade—shifting from certainty to cautious ambition.
Samuelsson: ‘There’s No Turning Back’
CEO Hakan Samuelsson told Bloomberg the global car industry is inevitably moving toward electric vehicles, even if the transition plays out at different speeds across regions.
Falling EV Sales Raise Questions
Volvo’s electric-only sales dropped 24% in 2025 so far, with plug-in hybrids also down slightly. The broader market conditions have created unexpected headwinds.
Plug-In Hybrids Are Key to the Transition
Samuelsson emphasized the importance of PHEVs, calling them “electric cars with a backup engine”—hinting at new models that blend range and flexibility.
Industry Shake-Up Is Looming
The Volvo chief predicts that only a few companies—particularly strong Chinese EV brands—will thrive in the coming transition, while others may falter or disappear.
EU’s 2035 Ban Sparks Division
While Volvo supports the proposed ban on combustion car sales, other automakers like BMW and Mercedes argue the shift is premature and potentially disastrous.
Rival Brands Backpedal on EV Pledges
Polestar, Volvo’s sister brand, publicly criticized competitors for softening their electric promises at the IAA Mobility Show—urging the EU to stay firm.
All Eyes on Brussels This Week
Automaker leaders are set to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to debate the 2035 target. The outcome may shape the trajectory of Europe’s auto industry for decades.
