Volvo announces its plan to assemble plug-in hybrid vehicles in India
Volvo will become the first car maker to assemble plug-in hybrids in the country. With a top-down approach, the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid will be the first plug-in hybrid model to be assembled at its manufacturing facility in Bengaluru by end of 2019. Every new Volvo from 2019 will be electrified, says the company.
In line with its commitment to the environment and a sustainable mobility, the company plans to ditch conventional powertrains and focus solely on electrification of its vehicles. A few months ago at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show, Volvo announced its plan to do away with diesel engines from 2019 in global markets, paving a way for the complete phasing out of IC-engine-only models. The company aims to bring half of its global sales from its EVs by 2025. A range of plug-in hybrids will be launched in India by the company in the next three years. Globally, the drive to move away from the diesel engine starts with the S60 sedan, which will be available in a range of petrol hybrid powertrain.
Check out our test drive review of the Volvo XC40 here
To increase the awareness on increasing pollution levels, the company has tied up with ASSOCHAM as a part of its #BreatheFree initiative to educate school children in NCR and dealerships across the country to make DIY clean air filter kits, which was distributed on Children’s day to people in areas who can’t afford air filters.
On its the localisation of plug-in hybrids, Charles Frump, MD of Volvo Car India said, “The localisation of plug-in hybrids marks the future of electrification for us. Our customers are increasingly becoming aware about the risk of pollution levels and degrading environment. As a responsible luxury car company, we believe electrification is the future. However, till the time we have a supporting infrastructure, plug-in hybrids offer the intermediate solution. The #BreatheFree initiative provides us the impetus to take the lead in generating awareness about the air quality. I am extremely pleased at the performance of the initiative and we are looking at taking it to the next level in the future.”
