Volvo Cars marked a significant moment in its electrification journey in September, celebrating the delivery of its one millionth plug-in hybrid (PHEV). This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to a sustainable future and highlights the critical role PHEVs play as a bridge to full electrification.
Plug-in hybrids now account for nearly a quarter of Volvo Cars’ global sales, with PHEVs representing 23% of total sales in the first half of 2025. This growth reflects a steady rise in consumer demand, with PHEV sales climbing from just under 46,000 units in 2019 to over 177,000 units in 2024. Central to this success are the XC60 and XC90 models, which have become the benchmarks for premium PHEVs across Volvo’s main markets.
The XC60 has consistently led Europe’s PHEV segment and maintained its position as the world’s best-selling premium plug-in hybrid over the past three years. Both the XC60 and XC90 received model renewals last year, further strengthening their appeal in key regions including Sweden, the United States, and China. Recent launches, such as the XC70 SUV, Volvo Cars’ first long-range PHEV with over 200 kilometres of electric range under the CLTC testing cycle, signal the brand’s ongoing commitment to innovation in hybrid technology.
“Our plug-in hybrid cars are a crucial bridge towards a fully electric future for those customers who are not yet ready to go fully electric,” explains Erik Severinson, chief commercial officer at Volvo Cars. “We are committed to this transition and are moving at a pace that suits our customers.”
Internal data from Volvo Cars reveals that drivers are increasingly treating PHEVs as fully electric vehicles, particularly in urban settings. On average, Volvo PHEV owners use electric power for roughly half of their driving, demonstrating the real-world viability of plug-in hybrids as low-emission vehicles.
As the company continues to expand its footprint in the premium electric vehicle segment, it remains equally focused on updating and refreshing its hybrid range. “This approach allows more time for charging infrastructure to mature, easing the transition to a fully electric world,” Severinson adds.
Volvo Cars’ leadership in hybrid technology stretches back over a decade. In 2012, the brand launched its first PHEV—a diesel variant of the V60 estate—and for several years thereafter, it was the only global car maker to offer a PHEV option across its entire model line-up. Today, Volvo offers plug-in hybrid variants across five models, alongside six fully electric vehicles, forming a strategically balanced portfolio that provides premium electrified choices in multiple shapes and sizes for customers worldwide.
With the delivery of its one millionth PHEV, Volvo Cars not only celebrates a milestone in sales but also reaffirms its vision: a future where electrification is accessible, versatile, and uncompromisingly premium.
