Volvo is considering whether traditional sedans, station wagons and hatchbacks have a place in its future electric model range.

Last week, Volvo CEO Jim Rowan told a media roundtable in Melbourne that he was considering whether there would still be demand for sedans, station wagons and hatchbacks in the electric age.

Volvo has committed to phasing out petrol and diesel engines worldwide by the end of this decade – with the Australian market currently planning to sell only electric Volvos by 2026 – and two SUVs opening its electric model range.

The company has only unveiled the EX90 – the electric successor to its large XC90 SUV – with a new city SUV expected to be unveiled in the coming months, sitting under the XC40 Recharge.

“I look at [the viability of sedans and wagons] right now,” Mr Rowan told the media.

“We should have another one [electric car] around the same time as the EX90 in 2024. It’s a sedan. It will be a brand new model in this segment,” said Mr. Connor in September 2022.

Digital Artist’s illustration of a large electric sedan theottle (above) imagines what we can expect from Volvo in the future.

The company has already trademarked names like the ES40, ES60 and ES90 – with S traditionally denoting its sedan models in its petrol-powered range (like the S40, S60 and S90).

It remains to be seen whether the electric sedan will be followed by a station wagon version next year, replacing today’s V60 or V90.

Despite the preferences of younger customers who have gravitated toward SUVs over the past decade, Volvo has a long history of offering sedans and station wagons.

But with Volvo reportedly targeting a younger audience, its upcoming small SUV – which is expected to be called the EX30 – will be a key part of that strategy.

“I think the new smaller one is an addition to the range,” Mr Rowan said, adding that it’s a “really important” model for the company.

“And that’s going to be a really good price I think for one [entry-level car]. We have a very safe one [car with] decent range, [a] still good size but smaller than [the XC40].”

Whether a hatchback will be introduced to attract a younger demographic has yet to be confirmed, but the global Volvo boss hasn’t ruled it out, saying he’s been “looking at” the possibility of reintroducing a small hatchback in the company’s future electric model range.

“We are really lucky to have seen [the upcoming line-up]. We’ve seen the future of products,” said Stephen Connor, Volvo Australia’s Managing Director, last week.

“But I know we will have a well-focused portfolio that will conquer the market we are in today.”