Volvo Cars bets on electric vehicles

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Volvo Cars is only going to sell electric vehicles by 2030, the Swedish firm has said.

It will phase out all car models with internal combustion engines by then, including hybrids.

The carmaker is also planning to invest heavily in online sales and simplifying its products.

It is trying to capitalise on growing demand for electric cars, including in China, which is already one of its biggest markets.

Carmakers are also responding to pressure from governments around the world to beef up their electric car plans.

New cars and vans powered wholly by petrol and diesel will not be sold in the UK from 2030, for example.

"To remain successful, we need profitable growth. So instead of investing in a shrinking business, we choose to invest in the future - electric and online," said chief executive Hakan Samuelsson.

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Its online push means customers will be able to order cars to their own specification online, but also through a dealership.

Volvo will not be investing in cars with hydrogen fuel cells, as it does not think there will be enough demand from customers. There is also a question mark over hydrogen's availability in comparison with charging points for electric cars, a spokesman said.

Volvo previously announced that by 2025, half of its sales would be fully electric, with the rest being hybrids.

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"There is no long-term future for cars with an internal combustion engine," said Henrik Green, the firm's chief technology officer.

In February, Volvo abandoned plans to merge with Chinese car giant Geely. But the two companies said instead that they would form a partnership to make components for electric cars that would be used by both firms.

Global carmakers continue to pursue alliances to spread the cost of the transition to electric cars, tougher emission rules and autonomous driving, as well as pooling expertise and resources.

In January, shareholders approved a merger between Fiat Chrysler and France's PSA Group, creating the world's fourth biggest carmaker. The new group, Stellantis, would be able to "bet big on new innovations in electric, connected and autonomous vehicles", analysts said at the time.