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

Skoda boss joins Volvo: Klaus Zellmer is Swedish brand's new CEO
Volvo XC60 - front

Skoda boss joins Volvo: Klaus Zellmer is Swedish brand's new CEO

Volvo’s appointed a new boss as it readies for a huge 13-model offensive
News
21 Sep 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
21 Sep 2026
Volvo to go new car crazy with 13 models by 2030
Volvo badge 2026

Volvo to go new car crazy with 13 models by 2030

The Swedish firm has committed to launching seven all-new cars for Western markets, including hybrid and pure-electric models
News
17 Sep 2026
Volvo to bring back buttons and celebrate its past in massive range revamp
New Volvo concept teaser

Volvo to bring back buttons and celebrate its past in massive range revamp

New concept being revealed early next year will preview the brand’s latest design direction and interior philosophy
News
17 Sep 2026

Most Popular

Range Rover Electric and Dacia Spring are EV extremes but I've found the sweet spot
Opinion - EV sweet spot

Range Rover Electric and Dacia Spring are EV extremes but I've found the sweet spot

Mike Rutherford believes he's figured out the trick to getting the best EV bargain
Opinion
20 Sep 2026
Skoda Peaq review
Skoda Peaq 2026 - Ellis Hyde

Skoda Peaq review

The Skoda Peaq is the Czech brand's biggest and most expensive car ever, and is a worthy flagship
In-depth reviews
20 Sep 2026
Paris Motor Show 2026: your guide to all the key cars
Paris Motor Show 2026 header image

Paris Motor Show 2026: your guide to all the key cars

Huge motor show looks set for some suitably big reveals in October
News
21 Sep 2026

Find a car with the experts