Volvo is accelerating its electric strategy. By 2025, the Swedes want to have four new Stromers on the road and set up CO2-free battery production in their home country.
Germany is just not the world. At least that's consolation Volvowhen it comes to sales figures. Because while the Swedes were able to win almost six percent more buyers worldwide last year with almost 700.000 cars than in 2020, new registrations in Germany fell by 7,6 percent. The 43.616 units are nevertheless confidently classified as a "solid result" as Volvo has performed better than many premium competitors and also better than the market as a whole. The bestseller in the portfolio is still the XC60, just ahead of the little brother XC40. The XC90 doesn't even get half that. Which is not surprising, since the brand's flagship is entering the home stretch of its life cycle.
The XC90 will also be exclusively electric
The successor is already in the starting blocks and continues what began with the small C40 last year: the consistent focus on purely battery-electric drives. The C40 is the first Volvo model that is only available as a Stromer. Also in the next XC90, which Volvo wants to present at the end of this year, neither a diesel, a petrol engine nor any kind of hybrid will work. It is conceivable that Volvo will continue to run the old XC90 for a few more years for markets that are even further behind when it comes to e-mobility. The market launch of the new vehicle in Germany is scheduled for mid-2023.
Technically, the approximately five meter long and up to seven-seater full-size SUV is based on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) of the second generation. It also uses the Polestar 3 built in the same US plant (Charleston/South Carolina). The SPA II is nevertheless an almost completely new design because it is a dedicated e-platform. As usual, it allows designers short overhangs, a long wheelbase, a flat floor structure and more interior space.
Volvo wants to give the latter a “Scandinavian living room atmosphere”, as they say from Gothenburg. The Swedes are still reluctant to provide details on performance, battery sizes and ranges. The same applies to the name, because the nomenclature of letters and numbers should fall. At least that's what CEO Håkan Samuelsson, who left a few days ago, suggested. The name “Embla” is currently doing the rounds on the internet.
New forms
Volvo plans to have five pure electric vehicles in its range by 2025. In addition to the C40 and the successor to the XC90, there is also a crossover on the list, which is positioned between the XC90 and XC60 and was presented last year as the Concept Recharge. Its stretched, station wagon-like silhouette is characteristic. It is quite possible that Volvo will not be able to afford two classic station wagons such as the V80 and V60 next to each other with the series model (the term XC90 sometimes appeared). In any case, the S90 sedan will continue to be built, which seems sensible from a global perspective.
Next year already in Germany
Something is also planned below the XC40/C40. An electric city SUV for the compact segment is to be presented in the second half of 2023. The market launch in Germany takes place in the same year. The model, previously known as the XC30 or XC20, is based on the new SEA platform (Sustainable Experience Architecture), which was largely developed by the Chinese parent company Geely. The small Stromer is also to roll off the assembly line in China, together with derivatives from Geely, Polestar, Lynk & Co and Lotus. The SEA platform provides different battery sizes and drive concepts with one and two electric motors.
The battery is a major issue at Volvo when it comes to the electrification of its new series. From around the middle of the decade, CO2-neutral battery cells are to be produced from the cooperation with Northvolt in a specially created plant in Gothenburg. In terms of energy content, the aim is to double it compared to today. For 2030, when Volvo only wants to offer electric cars, the goal is a range of up to 1.000 kilometers.