From 2019 all Volvo cars will have an electric motor
The famous Swedish car manufacturer, Volvo is the first traditional car maker to announce that all of its new cars will have an electric motor from 2019.
In less than two years time, Volvo will only launch cars that are either pure electric or hybrids combining electric and conventional engines.
The president of Volvo Cars,Hakan Samuelsson said the step "marks the end of the solely combustion engine-powered car".
"This is about the customer. People increasingly demand electrified cars and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs."
Volvo is planning to launch five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021, three models produced by Volvo and two others manufactured by its subsidiary Polestar, in the high-performance arena.
Mr Samuelsson went on to say: "Volvo Cars has stated that it plans to have sold a total of one million electrified cars by 2025.
"When we said it we meant it. This is how we are going to do it."
Air pollution is linked to an estimated 3,000 deaths per year in Ireland and over 40,000 early deaths per year in the UK.
Experts are saying that 37 out of 43 areas are exceeding the legal European Union limits for the key pollutant nitrogen dioxide, which is produced mostly by diesel engines.
Volvo claims their latest announcement about electric motors in all their cars underlines its commitment to minimising its environmental impact and making cities cleaner.
In connection with their environmental ethos, Volvo has committed to having a climate-neutral manufacturing operation by 2025.
Greenpeace UK clean air campaigner Paul Morozzo said Volvo had "recognised the huge gains to be made by leading the way in electric".
"We know electric vehicles are the future, and it’s not a case of if, but when, old style cars powered by climate wrecking fossil fuels will be a thing of the past.
"Instead of continuing to invest in new diesel technology, all car manufacturers should be turning their attention solely to electric and hybrid technology."
On other EV news, the US electric car manufacturer, Tesla Motors announced that its first mass-market electric car, the Model 3, will go on sale on July 28 after passing regulatory requirements.
(As always, if you or a family member are considering buying a used car, don’t buy until you run a car check report with MyVehicle.ie where you will find out the true history of the vehicle.)
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