SWEDISH car maker Volvo has announced plans to switch all of its sales online in a move that sees it change to an electric-only line up by 2030.

The company - now part of Chinese auto giant Geely - says it will phase out all cars with internal combustion and hybrid engines by the end of the decade.

The firm expects demand for pure electric cars to grow due to legislation and a rapid expansion of charging infrastructure.

The UK is planning to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with hybrids prohibited five years later.

Data from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders data shows 46,000 new Volvo cars were registered in Britain in 2020.

Volvo chief executive Hakan Samuelsson said: "To remain successful, we need profitable growth. So instead of investing in a shrinking business, we choose to invest in the future - electric and online.

"We are fully focused on becoming a leader in the fast-growing premium electric segment."

Volvo has just launched its first fully electric car - the XC40 Recharge - and has announced that is to be joined by a C40 Recharge as it begins its roll out of EVs.

Volvo said it will be "investing heavily" in its online sales platforms, but retailers will remain "a crucial part of the customer experience" and will be responsible for services such as preparing, delivering and servicing cars.

Head of global commercial operations Lex Kerssemakers added: "We want to offer our customers peace of mind and a care-free way of having a Volvo, by taking away complexity while getting and driving the car.

"Simplification and convenience are key to everything we do."

Last month, Ford announced it will sell only electric cars in the UK and Europe by 2030.

This came two days after Jaguar made the same pledge from 2025.