Volvo’s first plug-in hybrids now in PH

By 2025—that’s six years from now—Volvo Cars intends to make half of its sales volume to be fully electric and even committed to put 1 million of these electrified cars on the road.

This ambitious commitment shows that Volvo Cars is serious in taking the the lead and embracing a cleaner mobility.

As the first major luxury car brand to commit to a hybrid or full-electric powertrain for all its models, Volvo Cars aim to drive the automotive sector forward while improving the quality of the air in urban areas.

The Philippine luxury car market is fortunate to be in the forefront of this Volvo Cars global initiative. Just recently, Volvo Philippines officially launched the first plug-in hybrids in the country.

At the Future of Electric Forum held last Sept. 27 at the Bonifacio Global City, the Swedish luxury carmaker launched a trio of cars all bearing the T8 Twin Engine: the XC60 luxury compact SUV, the S90 large luxury estate, and the XC90 luxury mid-size SUV.

Make a change

“We dare to make a change for the better, starting with how we create our cars,” declared Atty. Alberto B. Arcilla, president and CEO of Volvo Philippines.

According to Arcilla, Volvo’s T8 Twin Engine delivers all the benefits of a high performance, low emission gasoline engine, with an electric motor that delivers power on demand and ultra-low CO2 emissions, as well as over 40 kilometers of range using pure electric mode.

“Volvo has always been cognizant of our part in environmental issues. That is the reason why we have incorporated care for the environment as one of our core values. As early as the 1970s, Volvo had already made concrete steps in finding solutions to environmental challenges. Since then, Volvo has pushed the boundaries in addressing the environmental impact that our cars make,” said Arcilla.

He added that these plug-in hybrids now available in the country all have over 400 hp that can deliver an exhilarating drive. The new electrified powertrain also offers drivers up to 15 percent fuel savings and emission reductions in real world driving.

Drive modes

All three newly launched models offer a range of drive modes to suit every occasion—from full Power mode, Pure electric mode and the balanced Hybrid mode. Volvo explains these drive modes allow for a no-compromise combination of pure battery electric power and an efficient gasoline engine that give new meaning to the word flexibility, and an unforgettable driving experience.

Also present during the launch were Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries, Rene Pineda, Jr. president of the Partnership for Clean Air, Kathleen Dematera, Transport Program Coordinator of Clean Air Asia, and Atty. Mike Toledo, Managing Director of the MVP Group of Companies.

Witnessing the launch of the country’s first plug-in hybrids luxury models in the country were (from left), Rene Pineda,Jr., president of Partnership for Clean Air, Inc.; Niclas Bratt, director of Energy Propulsion Systems and Controls and Calibration, Volvo Asia Pacific; Kathleen Dematera, program coordinator of Clean Air Asia’s Transport; Atty. Mike Toledo, managing director of MVP Group of Companies -Media Bureau; Jakob Olsson, Market Area director of Volvo Asia Pacific; and Atty. Alberto B. Arcilla, president and CEO of Volvo Philippines.

Also during the launch, Volvo Asia Pacific’s Head of Propulsion Energy Systems and Controls & Calibration, Niclas Bratt shared Volvo’s plans adding that this is the right time for the market time to go electric with the availability of high level technology and vehicles that are easy and convenient to drive, environmentally-friendly, and that offer excellent performance coupled with low running cost.

Volvo’s Market Area Director for Asia Pacific, Jakob Olsson further trained the spotlight on Volvo’s plans for pursuing a more electric future, starting the first fully electric car in 2019 and moving towards achieving 1 million electrified vehicles on the road by the year 2025 saying there has never been a better time to switch to electric mobility.