Are Volvo Leading the Charge in the Switch from ICE to EV?
How It All Started
In 2017, Volvo was identified as the first mainstream automaker to announce the death of the ICE. It also announced that all the vehicles it will produce starting in 2019 would be either hybrid or solely powered by batteries.
It is believed that this is one of the boldest commitments to ever be made by a major car producer. Though it still dominates a smaller segment of the market, it is believed that EVs are the best thing to ever happen to the automobile industry. This is because they help combat climate change.
Currently, many automakers provide hybrid and battery-powered options. However, they have been reluctant to attack the cars powered by diesel fuel or gasoline. On the contrary, any good researcher would learn that SUVs and pickup trucks are still being produced in large numbers, and they have witnessed a surge in sales due to reduced fuel prices.
The Ending Era of ICE
From the statement that was made by Volvo and Polestar, it can be deduced that the era of gas guzzlers is slowly but steadily coming to an end. Many years ago, General Motors and Ford used to produce many EV cars on a yearly basis, but they have been surpassed by Tesla in the production of EVs and also in terms of stock market value. This is a sure indication of where top investors feel that the industry is headed.
Hakan Samuelsson, the CEO of Volvo, stated that nowadays, more and more customers keep asking about the EVs. Therefore, they have to take the initiative and respond accordingly by ensuring that enough products are available on the market. Though based in Sweden, Volvo is owned by Geely Automobile Holdings, which already produces many battery cars for the Chinese market.
EVs Are a Trend Now
In the past, seeing a plugged car charging on the street was an unusual thing. It was like spotting a vintage car. However, at the time of writing, charging is fast becoming a usual thing due to the rise in the demand for electric vehicles. Within the previous two years, the number of plug-in hybrid cars and their sale has more than doubled.
The Volvo XC40 is already believed to have the potential of becoming the central player in the shift from ICE to EV. The company is ensuring that all its models come in the form of plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid, or battery electric vehicle. It is estimated that the internal combustion vehicles would be significantly wiped out of the market by 2025, which is a good thing for the environment.
However, due to the increased number of EVs, there might be some challenges that must be dealt with. For instance, some customers are already concerned with how they will charge their cars. But this is nothing to worry about since while electric vehicles only account for 0.2% of cars on the road, there are way more charging points for your Volvo electric car.
Joining The Dots
We are looking at a case where at least 60% of cars on the road will have their energy flow at home, and around 30% in the workplace. The remaining bit will be composed of what is known as ‘destinations’ or rather ‘nice-to-haves.’ Your fuel pump experience will be replicated with high-power charging.
If you are a good observer, you will realise that supermarkets across the country already have nice EV charge stations put in place. Most of these charging points in supermarkets are rated 7kW and are mostly free to use. However, it is believed that Pod Point is collaborating with Tesco supermarkets to make 50kW units available in the UK.
Benefits of Volvo Hybrid
With these vehicles, there will be zero-emission of nitrogen or carbon dioxide when driving. This implies that you will get a sense of responsibility each time you are using your EV because the environment won’t have to pay the price. This means you will be ensuring sustainable living for everyone else. They also come with a pure electric power train to ensure that you get an inspiring, refined, and silent drive. You will enjoy instant torque for excellent take-offs and linear, smooth acceleration regardless of the speed at which you are moving.
Electric vehicles are very easy to live with. They come with large batteries to ensure that you get a long range. This implies that you will not need to charge your car too often. Each time you need to charge your vehicle, you will find that the process is easy and very conveniently. You can charge your car at home overnight before you go back to work the following morning.
Recharging the Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 is set to be rolled out in late 2020. This is a highly performing EV that comes in the design of a regular SUV. The vehicle will provide a long-range, excellent electric powertrain, and smart practicality. The Volvo recharge can be comfortably done at home using the correct cable with features put in place to protect the battery life while maintaining your vehicle’s performance. Make sure that your charging station is installed by authorised individuals who are experienced in providing reliable services to EV owners.
The Bottom Line
From this piece, it is safe to conclude that Volvo is leading the charge in the switch tom ICE to EV in a way that Tesla cannot. They have a plan put in place to ensure that enough cars are produced to meet the ever-growing demand for EVs in the UK. The fact that they have already surpassed other mainstream car producers in their pursuit to produce a full EV line up, is a sure indication of their commitment to dominate the industry.