The upcoming new Volvo EX60 is more than just another electric crossover for the Swedes – it’s a test of the brand’s maturity in the world of electric vehicles. It promises longer range, faster charging, a new platform and, above all, a much more “normal” price tag that should bring it closer to buyers who are currently looking at plug-in hybrids. According to information known so far, the model is expected to be officially unveiled in January, and Volvo is aiming directly at the realm of Tesla’s Model Y.
One of the main reasons why electric vehicles still haven't completely taken over the roads is simple: they are, on average, more expensive than their petrol and hybrid counterparts. Volvo is well aware of this, and that's why with its new Volvo EX60 emphasizes affordability. The compact electric crossover is expected to be priced similar to the current plug-in hybrid XC60 T8 PHEV, whose price ranges between approximately 56,000 and 80,000 euros, depending on equipment and market.
In practice, this means that the EX60 will not be somewhere in the stratosphere of price lists reserved for exotic EVs, but a realistic alternative for the buyer who is considering a premium plug-in hybrid today.
New SPA3 platform: less complexity, more efficiency
The key to this price “parity” is a new modular platform SPA3, on which the new Volvo EX60 will be based. According to Volvo, it is expected to be production approximately 18 % cheaper from the brand's current electric architectures. The platform is designed so that different models can share battery modules, computers and other key components, reducing complexity, the number of unique parts and, of course, costs.
At new Volvo EX60 will the battery integrated into the vehicle structure, not just attached under the floor. Such an approach can further reduce production costs, while also improving interior space and reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. The result should be a more spacious cabin, better body rigidity and fewer kilograms – which is almost as welcome in electric vehicles as a fast charger.
Higher energy density, longer range, faster charging
Volvo is also announcing a new generation of battery technology for the EX60. According to their data, the batteries will have approximately 20 % higher energy density, which translates to longer range without having to install even more “kilowatt kilograms” in the bottom of the car. At the same time, they promise up to 15 % faster charging and around 35 % more power compared to the brand's current electric models.
The target range should be around 435 miles or approximately 700 kilometers according to the WLTP cycle, which would make the EX60 one of the more durable electric crossovers on the market. Of course, reality – as always with WLTP – will depend on driving habits, temperature and how often the driver succumbs to the pressure of their right foot.
She will take care of the charging. 800-volt architecture, which Volvo is introducing with its new SPA3 platform. This system enables very fast DC charging and has already become a kind of “gold standard” in newer premium electric models. Volvo’s Chief Commercial Officer Erik Severinson He humorously remarked during the presentation of the technology that with the EX60 you will have to go to the bathroom before you go to the filling station, and that the car will be almost full when you return. It's not exactly laboratory data, but it's a pretty understandable picture.
Entering a segment dominated by the Tesla Model Y
EX60 will be the first Volvo's all-electric model in the compact crossover segment, i.e. exactly where it dominates today Tesla Model YThis is one of the best-selling electric crossovers in the world, with European prices typically starting around 45,000 euros, with a range of approximately 375 km in the basic version up to around 545 km with the Long Range version and access to the Tesla network Supercharger, which remains one of the densest and fastest charging networks.
With the EX60, Volvo is not just attacking a single model, but wants to expand its influence in the electric vehicle market to a much larger part of the pie. According to its own estimates, such a model could cover as much as about 75 % electric vehicle market, while today their electric and hybrid offerings only affect a smaller part of the segment.
If we cut all the numbers into simpler slices: the Tesla Model Y remains extremely strong in terms of price and infrastructure, while the Volvo EX60 will try to convince with range, new technology, Scandinavian design, and a slightly more "green" conscience of the buyer, who has so far sworn by the XC60.
Volvo only showed details of the car and the front end.
Volvo goes against the grain: electricity as an opportunity, not a problem – this is the new Volvo EX60
The broader context is also interesting: while some manufacturers have been taking their foot off the electrification pedal recently – due to cooling demand, changing regulations and a return to focus on hybrids – Volvo insists on its strategy that the future is all-electric. The brand emphasizes that they see the expansion of the electric range as opportunityto stand out from the competition and strengthen their position as a global player, not as a necessary evil due to regulations.
A bit ironic: just as some others are realizing that the electric future may not come quite as quickly as they predicted, Volvo is pressing ahead with the EX60. If their calculations work, it could EX60 has become one of the key models of the brand's new era – and a serious competitor to Tesla's Model Y in this hottest EV segment.
