Volvo Ready To Phase Out Diesel Engines In Favor Of Hybrids

In the wake of Volkswagen’s diesel scandal, and with increasingly tough emission standards, Volvo thinks its time to let oil burners go.

The Swedish carmaker recently presented two concepts previewing the next 40 Series models, powered by a new T5 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain. According to Car&Driver, Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson told journalists at the launch event that the Swedish car maker will progressively replace diesels engine over the next decade or so.

“It is a very attractive alternative to a diesel engine. It offers much lower CO2 levels but more or less the same performance in both horsepower and torque. On cost, I would say that within a couple of years we will see a crossover, the diesel getting more expensive and the [hybrid system] going down,” said Samuelsson.

The new T5 engine (and other similar engines) will deliver diesel-like economy in real world-use and, although not confirmed yet, the hybrid powerplant is expected to emit less than 95g/km of CO2 – in European testing. Moreover, Samuelsson believes that various methods of reducing CO2 emissions in diesels – in order to meet future standards – will make them more arduous to use compared to hybrids:

“Diesels will be more expensive, they will have much more advanced after-treatment with additional fluids that have to be filled not once a year, but probably every time you refuel the car. I think that it’s very realistic that the percentage will go down. If it will go down to zero, I think we don’t need to speculate—let the future decide, let customers decide. We are flexible enough that we can make petrol and diesels on the same line, basically.”

Either way, Volvo seems prepared to offer customers what they want.