Volvo Cars reports rise in April sales buoyed by EV demand

Swedish automaker Volvo Cars reported a rise of 27% in its April sales as compared to a year earlier. Sales stood at 65,838 cars last month, boosted by demand for electric and hybrid vehicles. Volvo Cars, majority-owned by China's Geely Holding witnessed sales of fully electric cars were up 94% and accounted for 26% of all sales globally in the month.

Volvo Cars' biggest market, Europe, saw jump of 65% in sales as compared to the same period last year, reaching 34,238 cars, with the company's fully electric small SUV, EX30, driving sales. In the United States, the company saw sales rise 10%, primarily driven by an 89% increase in plug-in hybrid car sales. Meanwhile, sales in China were down 3% compared to the same period last year.

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In a separate development, Volvo Cars has made a strategic investment in UK-based startup Breathe Battery Technologies with an aim to reduce charging time for its next generation of electric vehicles (EVs) by 30%. This move highlights Volvo’s commitment to enhancing the EV ownership experience and addressing consumer concerns over charging convenience.

Volvo Cars Tech Fund, the Swedish automaker’s corporate venture capital arm, facilitated this investment, marking a significant step towards advancing EV technology. Although the exact investment amount remains undisclosed, the company's partnership with Breathe Battery Technologies signals a shared vision for innovation in the EV sector.

With faster charging of EVs, customers will be encouraged to adopt battery-powered vehicles while those who already own EVs will witness a hassle-free ownership experience. Concerns related to charging infrastructure and charging speed is paramount in driving widespread EV adoption.

Apart from reducing EV charging times, Breathe Battery Technologies is also working on enhancing battery durability and performance. Their software solutions, already deployed in Oppo smartphones, aim to extend battery life and optimise performance. With its investment in Breathe Battery Technologies, Volvo Cars' underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the EV market.