Volvo will double down on long-range plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in the UK in the coming years, in response to slower-than-expected demand for purely electric models.
Speaking to Autocar, Volvo UK boss Nicole Melillo Shaw said PHEVs will continue to serve as a “springboard” for buyers not yet ready to make the jump to an electric car. However, Melillo Shaw noted that hybrids must offer a very long electric range to help Volvo buyers make a smooth transition to pure electric models.
“The important nuance here is not the number of hybrids we sell: but whether people drive them like a hybrid rather than just a gasoline car,” Melillo Shaw said.
“In the past, when the range of plug-ins was very low, drivers rarely charged for them. Volvo has invested a lot to ensure that our hybrids offer a long range so that people can use them as intended. So it becomes a real stepping stone and we will make sure we have that range available for our customers.”
While Volvo UK’s sales of all-electric vehicles have increased significantly in recent years (rising from 4,556 in 2022 to almost 18,000 in 2024 and 9,000 in the first seven months of 2026), its combustion cars remain much more popular. Petrol has driven around 75% (31,000) of the brand’s UK sales so far this year, and of those, almost 7,000 were plug-in hybrids.
Volvo currently offers plug-in hybrid versions of the XC60 and XC90 SUVs, offering a maximum EV range of around 50 miles. However, the new
Automotive News recently reported that an upcoming update for the XC60 will add a similarly capable Long-Range PHEV option, with a larger battery configured to more than double its EV range.
While Melillo Shaw highlighted the constant need for hybrid models like these, he reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to electrification. However, with electric vehicle adoption lagging behind initial forecasts, he called for a “reality check” regarding the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate targets, which are currently under review by the government.
“If everyone decides to drive an electric car tomorrow, we are prepared to support it, so there are no worries from an innovation point of view,” Melillo Shaw said.
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