Volvo’s latest EV debuts on 5 March.
Range anxiety has always been an issue with electric vehicles. Although that has somewhat dissipated over the last few years, one car maker is firmly putting the issue firmly in its rear-view mirror. Volvo is calling it the ES90 and it is undoubtedly impressive.
The new, fully electric Volvo can reportedly go just that little bit farther with less charging time. According to the brand, its new 800V technology is the reason for this. Making its debut in the new ES90, the benefits of an 800-volt electric system are two-fold compared to a 400-volt system.
“Our 800V technology marks another significant technological upgrade for our customers as we move towards full electrification,” says Anders Bell, our Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. “It makes our electric cars even more efficient, helps you charge your electric Volvo faster and go farther on a single charge.”
In the case of Volvo’s new model, its battery is charged faster, delivers better overall performance and is more efficient. Combined with a completely new battery management software and hardware, as well as a progressive design, the new ES90 goes farther and charges faster than any electric Volvo before.
The Numbers Add Up
The ES90 also brings new progress in efficiency and sustainability.
Early figures indicate the ES90 can add 300 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes at 350kW fast-charging stations. It also offers a driving range of up to 700 kilometres under the WLTP testing cycle.
In creating the new 800-volt system, every electrical component has been upgraded to be compatible with 800 volts. This includes the battery cells, e-motors, inverter, charging as well as the climate and thermal systems. That creates benefits in terms of charging, efficiency and performance.
A higher-voltage system can also deliver more power (in kilowatts, or kW) and range with the same current as a 400-volt system. This approach generates less heat, allowing the battery to be charged faster up to 350kW without overloading the electric system. A key benefit is that the new system also contains lighter e-motors and other components, reducing the car’s overall weight. This also improves the system’s efficiency, while boosting the car’s acceleration and driving range.
Additionally, Volvo’s brand-new in-house-developed battery management software also creates a more robust charging experience. Compared to other electric Volvo cars, the new software cuts the time it takes to charge the ES90 from 10 to 80 percent by as much as 30 percent, down to 20 minutes.
Designed For The Future
The model offers a driving range of up to 700 kilometres.
Set for its big reveal this March, the Volvo ES90 is designed to be a premium vehicle that gives you quality time with the people you love, providing you with peace of mind and balance, as well as a sense of convenience and control. A state-of-the-art electric system that enables faster charging and longer range is key to achieving that ambition.
However, battery technology is not the only area in which the ES90 is a star performer. It also champions progress in other sustainability-related areas. For example, the ES90 is packed with recycled and natural materials that contribute to lower CO2 emissions in production.
About 29 percent of all aluminium and 18 percent of all steel used in the ES90 is recycled, while the ES90 also contains 16 percent recycled polymers and bio-based materials. The wood panels inside the ES90 are made from FSC-certified wood.
The ES90 also features Volvo’s battery passport. Based on blockchain technology, this allows the brand to track raw materials. The passport informs where the lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite used in the battery originate from. It also highlights the CO2 footprint of the full battery pack and other relevant information. For customers, this provides transparency about how raw battery material is sourced in a responsible way.
The Volvo ES90 will be revealed to the world on 5 March 2025.
