Volvo’s Upcoming ES90 Electric Sedan: New Details on Range and Charging
High-Tech Electric Sedan
Volvo is continuing to drop hints about its upcoming high-tech electric sedan, the ES90, ahead of its official reveal next month. The Swedish automaker has provided new details about the ES90’s range and battery efficiency, calling it "a car that goes further and charges faster than any electric Volvo before."
Fast-Charging Capability
The ES90’s new-for-Volvo 800-volt architecture puts it on par with other fast-charging EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. This upgrade from previous Volvo EVs, such as the $80,000 EX90 SUV, which features a 400-volt system, enables the ES90 to add 300km (186 miles) of range in just 10 minutes when plugged into a 350kW fast-charging station (depending on the outdoor temperature). Additionally, it will offer a driving range of up to 700km (435 miles) under the more generous WLTP testing cycle.
Benefits of Higher Voltage System
Automakers are increasingly trending toward higher voltage systems in an effort to lure in more customers who are turned off by slow charging speeds and the prospect of being stuck at a public charging station for 40 minutes or more. Stellantis, parent company of Jeep and Ram, recently announced a new 800-volt flexible architecture for some of its upcoming EVs. Volvo needed to upgrade a number of its components to support the higher voltage system, including battery cells, motors, inverters, and thermal parts. The new motors were lighter and more efficient, and the overall system now creates less heat, allowing the battery to be charged at a faster rate without overloading the electrical system.
Advanced Battery Management
Volvo also plans to introduce a new, in-house-developed battery management software for the ES90, provided by Breathe Battery Technologies, which also received investments from Volvo’s corporate venture capital arm. The new software will slash the amount of time it takes to charge from 10 to 80 percent by as much as 30 percent, down to 20 minutes.
Sustainability and Recycling
The ES90 will also feature a slew of recycled materials, including 29% of the aluminum, 16% of polymers, and 18% of steel. Wood panels inside the ES90 are made from FSC-certified wood, and the automaker is also introducing a new blockchain-based battery "passport" to track raw materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite used in the battery.
Conclusion
The ES90 is shaping up to be a game-changer in the electric vehicle market, offering fast charging capabilities, advanced battery management, and a focus on sustainability and recycling. With its 800-volt architecture and new battery management software, Volvo is poised to make a significant impact in the EV market.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the range of the ES90 electric sedan?
A: The ES90 will offer a driving range of up to 700km (435 miles) under the more generous WLTP testing cycle. - Q: How fast can the ES90 charge?
A: The ES90 can add 300km (186 miles) of range in just 10 minutes when plugged into a 350kW fast-charging station (depending on the outdoor temperature). - Q: What is the new battery management software used in the ES90?
A: The ES90 will feature a new, in-house-developed battery management software provided by Breathe Battery Technologies. - Q: What is the focus on sustainability and recycling in the ES90?
A: The ES90 will feature a slew of recycled materials, including 29% of the aluminum, 16% of polymers, and 18% of steel, as well as a new blockchain-based battery "passport" to track raw materials used in the battery.
