Volvo Is Killing Off Its Last Diesels

If you’ve had a peruse of the Volvo UK configurator recently, you might have noticed something. Or rather, a lack of something - diesel models. The company’s final oil burner sold here, the XC90 B5 mild-hybrid diesel, was dropped from the line-up not long ago, and soon, you won’t be able to buy a Volvo diesel anywhere in the world. 

At Climate Week NYC, Volvo confirmed it’ll end diesel production entirely in 2024. After that, you’ll only be able to buy electric or mild-hybrid/plug-in hybrid petrol models, as is already the case in the UK. Volvo, it should be noted, is moving away from combustion as a whole sooner than many rivals, with plans to be a fully electric brand by 2030. 

The company is already rapidly shifting away from what it’s previously been known for. It was only last month that we found out Volvo no longer sold estates and saloon cars in the UK, opting to focus instead on its SUV models. Its next two major model launches will be for fully electric SUVs - the EX30 and EX90. 

In light of the ditching of diesel, Volvo CEO Jim Rowan said:

“Electric powertrains are our future, and superior to combustion engines: they generate less noise, less vibration, less servicing costs for our customers and zero tailpipe emissions. We’re fully focused on creating a broad portfolio of premium, fully electric cars that deliver on everything our customers expect from a Volvo – and are a key part of our response to climate change.”

This isn’t just about altruism, though, it’s also good business sense. Diesel sales have tanked in the wake of various emissions-fixing scandals, and most major manufacturers are already starting to move away from the fuel. For instance, when BMW isn’t bothering to bring any diesel versions of the new 5-series to the UK, you know there are major changes in the automotive landscape afoot. 

The question now is, who's going to abandon diesel next?