Rahul Somvanshi
Volvo is set to unveil its newest electric vehicle, the ES90, on March 5. This premium electric sedan brings impressive technological advancements to the electric vehicle market, with features that directly address common concerns about electric car ownership.
Range and Charging: A Significant Leap Forward
The ES90 boasts a remarkable 435-mile (700 km) range on a single charge, positioning it among the leaders in today’s electric vehicle market. For context, this range would easily handle a trip from London to Edinburgh without needing to stop for a charge.
What truly sets the ES90 apart is its charging capability. Thanks to its advanced 800-volt architecture, the sedan can add 186 miles (300 km) of range in just 10 minutes when connected to a 350kW fast-charging station. The complete charging time from 10% to 80% takes only 20 minutes – about 30% faster than previous Volvo electric models.
Anders Bell, Volvo’s Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, explained: “Our 800V technology marks another significant technological upgrade for our customers as we move towards full electrification. It makes our electric cars even more efficient, helps you charge your electric Volvo faster and go farther on a single charge.”
Technological Advancements
The ES90 features dual NVIDIA Drive AGX Orin computers with combined processing power of 508 trillion operations per second. This computing capability supports advanced driver-assistance systems and allows the vehicle to “continuously evolve and improve over time,” according to Volvo.
The vehicle also incorporates new battery management software developed in-house, creating a more reliable charging experience. Part of this improvement comes from adaptive charging software from Breathe Battery Technologies, a company Volvo invested in last year.
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Design and Sustainability
While full design details will be revealed on March 5, teaser images show the ES90 will feature C-shaped tail-lights similar to the EX90 SUV, with a distinctive segmented pattern. The sedan appears to have a sleek profile with a steeply raked windscreen and a sloped, fastback-style roofline.
Sustainability is central to the ES90’s design. The vehicle incorporates significant amounts of recycled materials: 29% of its aluminum, 18% of steel, and 16% of polymers come from recycled sources.
Notably, the ES90 introduces Volvo’s battery passport system based on blockchain technology. This system tracks raw materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite used in the battery, highlighting the CO2 footprint of the full battery pack and providing transparency about responsible sourcing practices.
Market Position
The ES90 will replace the S90 in Volvo’s lineup and is built on the Scalable Product Architecture 2 (SPA2) platform, the same platform used in Volvo’s EX90 flagship SUV. However, unlike the EX90’s 400-volt architecture, the ES90 features an upgraded 800-volt system, requiring Volvo to upgrade every component in the electric system.
When it enters the market, the ES90 will compete with other premium electric sedans including the BMW i5, Audi A6 e-tron, and Mercedes EQE, all mentioned as rivals in the source material.
Volvo has not yet released pricing details for the ES90, which is expected to begin production later this year. The company remains committed to its electrification goals, though it recently adjusted its timeline, confirming it will continue to sell hybrid models beyond 2030. Volvo now states that “90 to 100 percent” of its cars will be electrified by the end of the decade.
FAQ
What is the range of the Volvo ES90?
The Volvo ES90 offers a range of up to 435 miles (700 km) on a single charge, making it one of the longest-range electric vehicles on the market.
How fast can the ES90 charge?
The ES90 can add 186 miles (300 km) of range in just 10 minutes when using a 350kW fast-charging station. It can charge from 10% to 80% battery capacity in approximately 20 minutes.
When will the Volvo ES90 be released?
Volvo will officially unveil the ES90 on March 5. Production is expected to begin later this year, according to the source material. Specific release dates for different markets have not yet been announced.
What makes the ES90’s charging system special?
The ES90 features an 800-volt electrical architecture (compared to the 400-volt systems in many EVs), which allows for faster charging with less heat generation. It also incorporates new battery management software that improves charging efficiency.
How does the ES90 compare to other electric luxury sedans?
The ES90 will compete with models like the BMW i5, Audi A6 e-tron, and Mercedes EQE. Its 435-mile range and ultra-fast charging capabilities position it as a strong competitor in the premium electric sedan market.
What sustainability features does the ES90 include?
The ES90 incorporates recycled materials (29% of aluminum, 18% of steel, and 16% of polymers) and features a battery passport system using blockchain technology to track raw materials and ensure responsible sourcing.
