Skip advert
Advertisement

Volvo won’t implement full self-driving technology until it’s “100 per cent safe”

Volvo’s safety expert says FSD needs to have a perfect environment to meet firm’s standards

Volvo EX90 - front tracking

Full self-driving cars gained fresh impetus earlier this year when the UK government passed the new Automated Vehicles Act, but safety experts from Volvo have questioned the viability of the technology and its potential real-world use. 

Speaking to Auto Express, Claudia Zarre, a safety manager at Volvo, denounced the feasibility of full self-driving cars. “Fully autonomous car safety is dependent on the conditions. We need a perfect environment for it to meet our standards,” Zarre said, referring to road markings, signs and general road conditions. “Volvo full self-driving won’t arrive until we know it’s 100 per cent safe,” she added. 

The company unveiled a fully autonomous car, the 360c, way back in 2018 as a rival to not only cars, but also public transport. Since then, Volvo’s all-electric flagship, the EX90, has been launched, and while early models don’t feature Level 3 hands-free motoring, this autonomous technology will soon arrive via a Lidar pod on the new car’s roof. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

A Volvo spokesperson has since said, "we remain committed to introducing autonomous drive (AD) technologies, which we believe will make the safety systems more and more capable in the future and help us get closer to our ambition of zero collisions in new Volvo cars." 

The Swedish company is not alone in developing such tech. Tesla recently announced its self-driving Robotaxi, which comes without a steering wheel. The compact two-seater was claimed to have a provisional launch date of 2027, although such a car would currently not be legal on UK roads.

Would you trust a self-driving car? Let us know in the comments section below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Alastair Crooks, Staff writer Auto Express
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The Volvo estate is alive but only in the hearts of execs, for now...
Volvo electric estate car render (watermarked)

The Volvo estate is alive but only in the hearts of execs, for now...

Volvo's new SPA3 architecture can be used for low-slung cars, making it perfect for a new load-lugging wagon. But will Volvo actually commit to buildi…
News
28 Aug 2026
New Volvo connected car tech can warn other cars of pedestrians, roadworks and more
Volvo EX90 - front cornering alt

New Volvo connected car tech can warn other cars of pedestrians, roadworks and more

Using V2V technology, electric Volvo models can inform other drivers of road hazards
News
26 Aug 2026
Two new Volvo models on the way this year, and an estate car could follow
Volvo XC40 - front cornering

Two new Volvo models on the way this year, and an estate car could follow

Significantly upgraded SUVs are likely for 2026, but Swedish firm is also leaving the door open for new estate cars in future
News
17 Jul 2026
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon 30/06/26

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond

Here are the most important new cars from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
30 Jun 2026

Most Popular

Last chance: Gov asks for driver’s view on controversial car emissions law changes
Emissions checks

Last chance: Gov asks for driver’s view on controversial car emissions law changes

New proposals could see drivers face fines of up to £1,000 if their car’s emissions don’t match the approved emissions standard
News
1 Sep 2026
Luxury electric SUVs aren’t selling, and I know the reason why
Opinion - Lotus Eletre

Luxury electric SUVs aren’t selling, and I know the reason why

Deputy editor Richard Ingram thinks luxury SUVs are better suited to PHEV and range-extender tech than pure electric power
News
2 Sep 2026
New Range Rover Electric revealed: How far does it go? How much is it? And why is it so late?
Range Rover Electric driving

New Range Rover Electric revealed: How far does it go? How much is it? And why is it so late?

After what seems like a very long wait, the Range Rover Electric is finally upon us, with full details out in the open and prices from £154k
News
1 Sep 2026

Find a car with the experts