Has Volvo Ditched Petrol?

Famously reliable, Volvo is one of the most iconic car manufacturers on the planet. It’s also one of the most progressive, with the Swedish owned auto company confirming that it’s about to ditch petrol for good.

According to an announcement made by the company, Volvo will become the first major car manufacturer to go all electric. This means that by 2019, every new car in its range will have an electric power train available. It marks a “historic end” to an era of cars powered exclusively by petrol and diesel, and a new era for eco-friendly vehicles.

Chief executive Håkan Samuelsson asserts that the move “places electrification at the core of its future business” and is primarily designed to meet the changing needs of its customers.

“People increasingly demand electrified cars and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs.”

The luxury of choice

So, what can drivers expect? Between 2019 and 2021, the premium car manufacturer will launch five fully electric cars, including two vehicles under its Polestar high performance sub-brand. The rest of Volvo’s range will be available with “plug-in hybrid” power trains, backed by 48-volt "mild hybrid" systems. Not only do these operate as sole power systems, but they also give a boost of acceleration to normally powered engines.

“This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion engine-powered car,” comments Samuelsson. “We have said we plan to have sold a total of 1m electrified cars by 2025. When we said it we meant it. This is how we are going to do it.”

While customers will now enjoy the option of electric components, Samuelsson refused to draw the line on when Volvo will completely phase out its petrol and diesel powered vehicles.

The advent of electric

For the industry, Volvo’s landmark announcement sends a clear message that manufacturers either need to embrace the electric revolution, or risk losing customers.

"Customer demand was behind this but it also tells investors in infrastructure such as charging points and battery technology that we believe electric is the future and they can count on Volvo to back them," adds Samuelsson.

While companies like Volvo are spearheading the abolition of petrol, other industries are still heavily reliant on fossil fuels. This powers fields like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, which plays an important role in the petroleum and petrochemical industries. For an in-depth look at the latest advances, ‘Is Low Field NMR now a “Must Have” Technique for the Modern Petro Industry Laboratory?’ spotlights the arrival of stable, cryogen free, rare earth permanent magnets.