Volvo has built its last diesel-powered car

Swedish carmaker Volvo has announced that its last diesel-powered car rolled off the production line this week, making way for its future range of electric models.

The brand first announced it would cease making diesel engines at Climate Week NYC last September, just a few years after they were its best-selling mode of propulsion.

In 2019, diesel engined models were Volvo’s “bread and butter” alongside most other carmakers in Europe. But those days are over and the rise of electrification in the past few years has taken a firm hold on the automotive industry.

With that, the final diesel model to ever be made by Volvo was an XC90, produced at its plant in Torslanda, Sweden.

Most of Volvo’s sales in Europe last year were electrified vehicles, with EV sales increasing by 70 per cent. Globally, the brand increased its electric car market share by 34 per cent.

Those numbers bode well for the brand’s plan to become a fully electric carmaker and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

In saying that, Volvo isn’t quite done making internal combustion engines yet as it still offers a range of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid petrol models.