Tag Archives: Volvo

Volvo supports a ban on ICE cars after 2035

Although many European car manufacturers have abandoned the plan to become fully electric by 2030, and put their focus on hybrids, they still believe in the EU’s plans. One of them is Volvo, which believes that the EU must not abandon the ban on the sale of ICE cars after 2035.

At the beginning of 2021, Volvo announced that it is rapidly moving towards the complete electrification of its fleet by the end of the decade. However, production problems and a drop in demand for EVs showed that everything was too fast. This forced Volvo to change its plan and face reality.

The Swedish company has announced that it will continue to produce cars with internal combustion engines after 2030, but they will have mild hybrid systems and will be produced in limited series. Also, the plan is for PHEVs and electric cars to account for between 50 and 60 percent of total sales by the end of this year. This target is too ambitious if we consider the sales of the last few months when fully electric cars accounted for only 26 percent of the total sales.

Volvo and 49 other car companies have signed a declaration with which they unreservedly support the European Union’s plan to ban the sale of cars with internal combustion engines, which should enter into force from 2035.

Some car companies disagree with the Swedish manufacturer. Similar opinion is shared by officials in several European Union countries who consider the plan absurd and unsustainable. The goal of the European Union is cars without harmful emissions, but not at any cost. In theory, this leaves room for internal combustion engines that would use synthetic fuel or hydrogen.

Source: Euronews

Refreshed Volvo XV90

At the 2002 North American International Auto Show Volvo unveiled its mid-size luxury SUV, the XC90. So far, several versions of this model have been presented, as well as a refreshed edition in 2019. Now, another refreshed version has hit the market.

The new XC90 has retained the design of its predecessor with the addition of redesigned “Thor’s Hammer” lights and diagonal slats of the radiator grille. The interior is also slightly improved, with a new 11.2-inch touchscreen instead of the old 9.0-inch one, the operating system has been optimized, the center console provides additional storage space, while the wireless smartphone charger has been relocated. There’s also a new cup holder that can hold thinner cans and bottles firmly, so there’s no more noise from moving around.

When it comes to the powertrain, the B5 and B6 powertrains receive help from a 48-volt electric motor, which in combination with a 2.0-L four-cylinder turbo engine delivers 247 hp and 295 hp, respectively. The hybrid option delivers 455 hp, and power is sent to all wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission in all options. This option reaches 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, and thanks to the 14.9-kWh battery pack, it has an electric range of 70 kilometers.

The refreshed XC90 has better handling thanks to the optional air suspension, which provides a comfortable and isolated ride, but also coped well with most road situations.

Source: Volvo

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Volvo faced the reality

A few years ago, car manufacturers announced that electric cars are the future, and they took big steps towards the electrification of their cars, some even completely removing cars with internal combustion engines from their offer. However, production problems and a drop in demand for EVs showed that everything was too fast. This has prompted some manufacturers to abandon their plans, such as Volvo, which has a new plan. They hope that by the end of the decade, 90 percent of all sales will be electric and hybrid PHEVs.

There are three main reasons for changing the decision and facing reality. First, the Swedish automaker believes that the rate of development of infrastructure for electric cars is slower than expected. The second reason is the abolition or reduction of subsidies for these cars by several countries, and the third reason is attributed to the introduction of very high tariffs for certain markets.

Volvo has announced that it will continue to produce cars with internal combustion engines after 2030, but they will have mild hybrid systems and will be produced in limited series. Also, the plan is for PHEVs and electric cars to account for between 50 and 60 percent of total sales by the end of this year. This target is too ambitious if we consider the sales of the last few months when fully electric cars accounted for only 26 percent of the total sales.

It should be noted that Volvo’s long-term plan is to become completely carbon neutral by 2040.

Source: Volvo