Volvo to make only electric cars from 2019, marking the end of the petrol engine

An abandoned Volvo car is pictured at a field in Marjayoun village, southern Lebanon: REUTERS/Aziz Taher

All of Volvo's cars from 2019 will be powered by electric motors, the company has announced.

Describing the decision as "one of the most significant moves by any car maker", Volvo said that by 2019 it will make a range of cars, none of which will be powered purely by a combustion engine.

There will still be some hybrid vehicles, which use a traditional motor alongside an electric one. But the company will also focus on fully electric cars.

CEO Hakan Samuelsson said Wednesday the policy reflects the wishes of customers.

He said: "People increasingly demand electrified cars and we want to respond to our customers' current and future needs."

Volvo said that it will launch five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021. Three of them will be Volvo models and two will be electrified cars from Polestar, Volvo Cars' performance car arm.