- Volvo now expects plug-in hybrids to be popular beyond 2030
- New Volvo plug-in hybrids will benefit from batteries and motors developed for next-gen EVs
- Volvo still committed to EVs and has five in the pipeline
Volvo plans a renewed push into plug-in hybrid vehicles now that it has abandoned its plan to exclusively sell electric vehicles by 2030, and these will include a new generation boasting a long electric range.
In an interview with Automotive News (subscription required) published on Wednesday, Erik Severinson, Volvo's chief product and strategy officer, said the electric range of the new plug-in hybrids would be a “significant upgrade” over the 32 miles of the updated 2025.5 XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid unveiled earlier this month.
He said the new plug-in hybrids would continue to use Volvo's original SPA platform that debuted almost a decade ago in the current XC90, and benefit from denser batteries and more efficient electric motors developed for next-generation EVs.
"SPA1 is a very flexible architecture," Severinson said. "We can keep upgrading SPA1 to even longer-range PHEVs."
2025.5 Volvo XC90
Severinson didn't mention timing but Volvo at a meeting with U.S. and Canadian dealers held on Tuesday said it planned to launch 10 new and updated vehicles over the next 24 months, Automotive News reported, citing some of the dealers in attendance. It's likely some of these will be the longer-range plug-in hybrids.
Volvo this month said that its current plan calls for 90-100% of sales to be made up by a combination of EVs and plug-in hybrids by 2030, with the remaining portion to consist of mild-hybrids. The move came in response to EV demand growing much slower than predicted, the automaker said. Dealers were also pleading to keep plug-in hybrids on sale.
Volvo said its long-term goal remains becoming a 100% EV brand. The automaker has at least five EVs in the pipeline, including a midsize sedan to be called the ES90 and a compact crossover to be called the EX60. The ES90 will use the SPA2 EV platform that debuted in the 2025 EX90, and is expected to launch this year. The EX60 will use a more advanced SPA3 EV platform and is tipped to launch in 2026.
