Volvo Cars has reached a significant landmark in its electrification journey, delivering its one millionth plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in September. The milestone underscores the brand’s position as a pioneer in premium electrification and reinforces its steady transition toward becoming a fully electric car maker.
Plug-in hybrids remain a cornerstone of Volvo’s global strategy—serving both as a major growth driver and as a bridge for customers transitioning to fully electric mobility. In the first half of 2025 alone, PHEVs accounted for 23 percent of Volvo Cars’ global sales. Since 2019, annual PHEV sales have surged from nearly 46,000 units to more than 177,000 in 2024, driven by consistent demand for the XC60 and XC90 across Europe, the United States, and China.
XC60 Leads the Charge
The Volvo XC60 continues to be the brand’s star performer, securing its place as the best-selling PHEV in Europe in 2024 and leading the global premium PHEV segment for three consecutive years. Alongside the XC90, the model received a comprehensive renewal last year, strengthening its appeal in key markets and reinforcing Volvo’s reputation for combining advanced electrified performance with Scandinavian design and safety.
Pioneering Progress and Expanding Possibilities
Thanks to its robust PHEV lineup, Volvo Cars today holds the highest share of plug-in hybrids as a percentage of total sales among legacy premium manufacturers. The company continues to expand this offering with innovations like the newly launched XC70 SUV—the first Volvo plug-in hybrid to deliver over 200 kilometres of pure electric range under the CLTC testing cycle.
“Volvo Cars is committed to a fully electric future, and we will get there at a pace that suits our customers,” says Erik Severinson, Chief Commercial Officer at Volvo Cars. “Our plug-in hybrid cars are a crucial bridge towards that future for those customers who are not yet ready to go fully electric.”
Data-Driven Electrification
Internal Volvo data reveals that its plug-in hybrid owners are increasingly using their vehicles as if they were fully electric—particularly in urban environments. On average, Volvo PHEV drivers operate their cars in electric mode for about half of their total driving time, a figure that reflects both growing environmental awareness and the practical benefits of hybrid technology.
“While we invest and grow our presence in the premium fully electric segment, we will also continue to update and refresh our hybrids,” Severinson adds. “This allows more time for charging infrastructure to develop globally, helping ease the transition to a fully electric world.”
A Decade of Electrified Innovation
Volvo Cars has been shaping the electrified landscape for over a decade. In 2012, it introduced its first plug-in hybrid—the diesel-powered V60 PHEV—becoming the only global carmaker to offer a plug-in variant across its entire lineup for several years. Today, that legacy continues with PHEV versions of five models, complementing a growing range of six fully electric vehicles.
This balanced product portfolio positions Volvo Cars uniquely within the global premium market, enabling it to cater to a wide range of customer preferences while maintaining momentum toward its ultimate goal: a fully electric future.
With one million plug-in hybrids now on the road, Volvo Cars’ electrification story is more than a milestone—it’s a movement. Each PHEV represents a tangible step toward a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable mobility ecosystem, powered by the Scandinavian brand that has long put people and the planet first.
