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They said that “there was no future for internal combustion engines” from 2030. Last year they softened their expectations. And now they confirm that the transition to the electric car has been choking to the point that it will not be possible if in countries such as Spain a serious plan to electrify the country does not go ahead.
Yes, we talk about Volvo.
“It’s very difficult”. These words of Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo, summarize the feeling of the company with respect to the electric car. In an interview with the German media Die Zeitasked about the slow transition to the European electric car, which was expected faster, Samuelsson has responded to the following:
There must be a clear sign that at a given time it is changing to electric mobility. But, of course, if there is no load infrastructure, especially in southern Europe, it is very difficult to implement it. A general concept is needed. Therefore, I can also imagine classify new hybrid vehicles with plug -in and long -range technology.
In addition to southern Europe, a region in which Spain is undoubtedly, the CEO of Volvo also points out that “in certain regions of the world it is complicated for us, for example, in the west of the United States, with its own particularities. We probably need a few more years there. For electric mobility to succeed.”
More loaders. With both answers, Samuelsson points directly to the load infrastructure as the main stumbling block to achieve the expected impulse with electric mobility. In the case of the United States it is evident. Tesla created a recharge network that held its first sales. Now, with your own loaders, your network is so good that has made manufacturers adapt to your bet.
And in Spain we also have lessons to learn. Although we have improved and in Xataka We support that with the current volume of electric cars the reliability of the loaders than the pure power, According to ANFAC’s latest electromobility barometerin June 2025 we barely covered 17.5% of the total loaders that we should have installed at the end of the year.
Tranquillity. Having a dense and reliable recharge network remains the main concern of those who do not dare to make the leap to an electric car. The ultimate goal is to be able to leave home without having to plan a route but that, right now, is not possible. And not only is it not possible, besides With a small battery electric carit is essential to be clear where, when and for how long to stop.
Without a doubt, when one takes an electric car for a while it does not take time to adapt to its demands. Acquire the necessary knowledge to Do not pass hardships It is simple but that entrance barrier is still too high for those who want to disburse 30,000, 40,000 or 50,000 euros in a car and want to forget to pass anxiety for autonomy. But, above all, it is especially complicated among those who are looking for an electric car of 20,000 or 25,000 euros and know that they will have to Pay with some discomfort Your low price.
What happens with Volvo? The problem for Volvo is that their electric cars do not advance to the expected rhythm and their plans were to stop selling combustion engines in 2030. In 2021, just four years ago, they said that “There is no future for internal combustion engines”.
However, in 2024 they have had to admit that the transition to the electric car is being resisted more than the account and They already advanced that it was likely to maintain hybrid cars in the market for a longer time. Again, The low sales in the United States were key. Now, its CEO uncheck getting pressure so that countries take the initiative and put their efforts to create a solvent recharge network.
Is something done? Yes, something is being done. First, countries have to give an acceleration to the recharge network forced by the European Union itself which has designed a plan to have fast loaders in the main routes of the continent in the short and medium term.
In addition, you work to oblihar that the new loaders have Your own payment TPV systemwhich should facilitate adoption to the electric car. Right now, it is still necessary to have a good number of applications on the mobile if you load with different companies.
And the government is also working for make cargo plugs visible With a new signaling on the roads. The ultimate goal is to go through the drivers that Spain is not a wasteland without loaders and that can be traveled with relative tranquility.
One last curiosity. For Samuelsson “no, we were not too fast (about the jump to the electric car). For us, as a rather small company, the fully electric vehicle market is large enough.”
Words hide a defense of their own legacy. The current CEO of the company already held this same position between 2012 and 2022. That is, the commitment to sell exclusively electric cars in 2030 was yours. After a small hesitation period, Samuelsson returned from his retirement to re -direct the Swedish company.
A company that, on the other hand and by preference of its own CEO, is increasingly China:
I want more cooperation from Volvo (with Geely). I want Volvo to remain independent, that is, with the headquarters in Sweden and that it is cited in the Swedish bag. But I also want to increase the value, the interest of the owners, and therefore more exchange within the holding company, to save money and introduce new technologies more quickly.
Photo | Xataka
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