This is the very last Volvo V60 with diesel engine
Volvo diesel engine
“This means not only the end of diesel variants at our Ghent plant, but also an important milestone for Volvo Cars, which is committed to a more sustainable future. A future in which we are fully committed to electrification. Something that reflects the changing demands of our consumers and the clear needs of our planet. Another step towards full electrification,” Volvo Car Gent said in a statement.
The latest Volvo V60 with a diesel engine is a Volvo V60 Cross Country, an extra rugged version of the V60.
Volvo opts for electric
Volvo wants to sell only fully electric cars by 2030 and by 2040 the Swedish brand wants to operate completely climate-neutral. In November 2022, Volvo sold its stake in Aurobay, the joint venture that housed all of Volvo’s remaining fuel engine assets. Volvo Cars no longer devotes a single crown of its R&D budget to the development of new fuel engines.
Electric powertrains
Jim Rowan, Chief Executive at Volvo Cars, says, “Electric powertrains are our future and superior to internal combustion engines: they produce less noise, less vibration, lower maintenance costs for our customers and no exhaust emissions. We are fully focused on creating a broad portfolio of high-quality, all-electric cars that offer everything our customers expect from a Volvo – and are an important part of our response to climate change.”
From popular to discarded
Volvo’s decision to completely phase out diesels in early 2024 illustrates how quickly both the auto industry and customer demand are changing. Volvo: “Just four years ago, the diesel engine was our bread and butter in Europe, as it was for most other carmakers. The majority of cars Volvo sold on the continent in 2019 were powered by a diesel engine, while electrified models were only just making their appearance. That trend has since largely reversed, driven by changing market demand, stricter emissions regulations and Volvo’s focus on electrification. The majority of its sales in Europe now consist of electrified Volvos, with an all-electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain.”
According to Volvo, fewer diesel cars on the street also have a positive effect on urban air quality; although diesels emit less CO2 than gasoline engines, they emit more gases such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) that negatively impact air quality, especially in built-up areas.
