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

New Volvo EX50 electric SUV on the way to rival Tesla Model Y and Audi Q4 e-tron
New Volvo EX 50 - front quarter Avarvarii

New Volvo EX50 electric SUV on the way to rival Tesla Model Y and Audi Q4 e-tron

We lift the lid on Swedish firm’s plans for sub-£50k SUV, aimed at the Q4 e-tron and Model Y
News
9 Nov 2026
Cars are more dangerous for women than men
Volvo XC60 - main image

Cars are more dangerous for women than men

Study shows that female passengers don't get the same levels of crash protection, unless they are in a Volvo
News
8 Oct 2026
Volvo plots new Range Rover rival, and it'll dwarf the XC90
Volvo XC90 - front cornering

Volvo plots new Range Rover rival, and it'll dwarf the XC90

Volvo’s design boss is eager to bring a new ‘F-segment’ SUV to market, and it could arrive before the end of the decade
News
28 Sep 2026
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

Most Popular

It’s time for Tata to step aside and let the Chinese take over at Jaguar Land Rover
Opinion - Freelander 8

It’s time for Tata to step aside and let the Chinese take over at Jaguar Land Rover

Mike Rutherford thinks the joint-venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover could be a match made in heaven
Opinion
8 Nov 2026
Long-term test: Volkswagen T-Roc eTSI 150 Style
Volkswagen T-Roc eTSI - secret sauce

Long-term test: Volkswagen T-Roc eTSI 150 Style

First report: VW says its compact SUV is full of ‘Secret Sauce’, but is it a tasty recipe? We’re about to find out
Long-term tests
7 Nov 2026
BYD offices raided over Land Rover Defender copycat claims
New BYD Ti7 - front 3/4

BYD offices raided over Land Rover Defender copycat claims

Two of the Chinese firm’s offices in the Netherlands were raided in the summer by bailiffs acting on behalf of JLR, it has emerged
News
9 Nov 2026

Find a car with the experts