FILE PHOTO: Volvo logo is seen at the 2017 New York International Auto Show in New York“The company will also offer hybrid options across its product line, marking the historic end of cars that only have an internal combustion engine.”
According to a statement, the e-cars will fight for buyers in an increasingly crowded market. Segment pioneer Tesla Inc will start manufacturing its third model this week, while German brands Mercedes-Benz and Audi and British producer Jaguar Land Rover have presented prototypes capable of driving 400 kilometers or more on a fully-charged battery. Some of the cars are slated to go on sale as early as next year. Automakers are speeding up development of green vehicles as emissions regulations tighten and city governments get serious about banning polluting traffic.
“People increasingly demand electrified cars,” Volvo Chief Executive Officer Hakan Samuelsson said.
“Volvo Cars has stated that it plans to have sold a total of 1 million electrified cars by 2025. This is how we are going to do it.”
Volvo Cars, which is owned by Chinese billionaire Li Shufu, said in April that its first electric vehicle will be a Chinese- made compact car that starts deliveries in 2019. The model will be exported globally and be based on the platform of the company’s XC40 compact SUV. Two of the five cars will be part of Volvo’s high-performance Polestar sub-brand. China is becoming the biggest market for electric cars, and authorities are looking at ambitious production quotas that would be enforced with fines on manufacturers.