Bummer: Volvo Ditches 2030 Fully EV Goal

Volvo has learned a valuable lesson on trying to force their consumers into buying vehicles they do not want. Volvo customer are rabid about purchasing Volvos, much like Subaru customers, and they aren’t really biting on EVs outside of Europe

Volvo reverses goal to make only EVs in 2030

Volvo on Wednesday announced that it is dropping its goal of making only electric vehicles by 2030, saying it now expects it will still be offering some hybrid models as part of its lineup at that point.

The Swedish company, which has China’s Geely as its largest shareholder, and other automakers have seen slowing demand for EVs as price-conscious car buyers turn to hybrids and gas-powered vehicles over affordability concerns as well as access to charging stations.

Volvo and other EV makers are also bracing for the impact of European tariffs on electric cars made in China, a move that follows similar steps in the U.S.

In a statement, the company said it is aiming for 90% to 100% of its 2030 global sales volume to consist of fully electric EVs and plug-in hybrids, with the remaining zero to 10% of its lineup allowing “for a limited number of mild hybrid models to be sold, if needed.”

The reversal of plans to be fully electric by 2030 comes as the company expects the percentage of its electrified lineup — which includes EVs and hybrids — to be between 50% and 60% by 2025. Its share of fully electric vehicles was 26% in the second quarter of 2024, while EVs and hybrids combined amounted to 48% of its electric lineup.

It’s actually still rather tough to get people to get regular, non-plugin hybrids. EVs? Well, it’s a little easier with Volvo, considering they are a premium vehicle, and a goodly chunk of the purchasers will have garages. Home charging is where you save money. The only way to really get people to consider adopting is significantly building out the level 3 charging infrastructure, and losing lots of money on the sale of each one. So, realistically, if Volvo wants to stay in business, they’ll backtrack more and more on their EV pledge.

What’s Stalling Electric Vehicle Adoption in Wyoming?

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Wyoming has the second-lowest number of EVs in the country after North Dakota, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, with 1,080 registered. To some degree, that makes sense. Wyoming’s vast open spaces, harsh winters that can reduce battery capacity and populations spread out in small rural pockets make many residents wary of EVs. And disagreement between federal and state authorities about the best locations for chargers might also be slowing the growth of electric cars in the Cowboy State.

Wait, the batteries do not work well when it is cold? Huh.

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