- 5 new all-electric Volvos will launch this decade, constructed on next-generation platforms.
- Volvo is constructing out “core compute” know-how to advance the connectivity, security and ADAS methods on its automobiles.
- Tesla Mannequin Y-rivaling EX60 electrical SUV will debut the next-generation SPA3 platform. ES90 electrical sedan shall be unveiled quickly.
On the Volvo Capital Markets Day presentation in Sweden at this time, the corporate made a number of new know-how bulletins, together with a broader collaboration with Nvidia, a brand new in-house developed software program stack, a model new SPA3 platform and as many as 5 new electrical automobiles that can launch worldwide by the top of the last decade.
Volvo’s EV development has stalled within the U.S. not like in Europe the place it is taking off, however now it posits as a know-how firm that goals to grasp AI, electrification and security. The corporate stated it wasn’t racing in opposition to time to develop AI and software program however was dedicated to doing it the fitting manner to assist it obtain its purpose of “zero collisions.”
5 New EVs This Decade
The newly launched EX90 electrical SUV that InsideEVs just lately reviewed will function a springboard for the corporate’s subsequent gen EVs.
Volvo stated its learnings from the EX90 will assist it construct the ES90 electrical sedan that’s set to be unveiled in just a few months. “It’s our first low electrical automotive that is in a category of its personal,” Volvo’s Chief Product and Technique Officer Erik Severinson stated through the Capital Markets Day presentation.
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Volvo
The ES90 will journey on the identical SPA2 structure because the EX90, however “it is going to be for world audiences, together with the EU, U.S. and Asia. However China could also be its largest market,” Severinson stated.
Extra time, learnings from the EX90 SUV and ES90 sedan will assist Volvo develop the Tesla Mannequin Y-rivaling EX60 mid-size electrical SUV. The EX60 shall be based mostly on the next-generation SPA3 platform and have Tesla-like mega castings plus Volvo’s most advance software program. It is going to be adopted by three extra unnamed EVs, which is able to function comparable software program and electrical architectures.
There’s additionally a “lengthy vary PHEV” that is below growth, but it surely wasn’t instantly clear if it was a part of the 5 EVs which are deliberate for this decade.
SPA3 Platform
Volvo stated the SPA3 platform will function its third technology electrical motors. The present SPA2 platform motors have a 91% effectivity. SPA3 motors shall be 93% environment friendly, Volvo stated. For perspective, the typical thermal effectivity of inner combustion engines is about 35%.
It’ll additionally function structural battery packs—one thing Tesla did years in the past—and they are going to be geared up with new excessive power density cells. Curiously, Volvo stated the scalability of this platform would enable it to make automobiles which are bigger than the EX90 and smaller than the EX30.
Volvo
Volvo teased the ES90 electrical sedan through the 90/90 day presentation in Sweden this week.
“Superset” Tech Stack
Among the many largest bulletins at this time was what Volvo known as its “Superset” tech stack. It is mainly a standardized set of modules, software program and {hardware} that every one future Volvos will come geared up with.
“Like a set of constructing blocks, it may be configured in many alternative methods. Every of our new automobiles shall be a variety, or a subset, of constructing blocks from the Superset tech stack and we’ll repeatedly enhance and develop the tech stack,” the corporate stated.
“The EX60 would be the subsequent key quantity driver for Volvo Automobiles. It is going to be the primary automotive to be based mostly on the SPA3 structure, made in Gothenburg for world markets,” Severinson stated. “Three extra automobiles stay in energetic growth and all 5 will function our Superset tech stack, that means the identical modules, {hardware}, software program, and platform.”
A part of this know-how platform is the Nvidia Drive Orin system on a chip (SoC) that the EX90 is supplied with. It’s able to 250 trillions of operations per second (TOPS). All of this helps automobiles enhance their ADAS options and collect knowledge for future autonomous driving capabilities.
Volvo
Volvo stated it was increasing its partnership with Nvidia to incorporate the Drive Thor SoC on its future fashions. It didn’t say which automotive would function that, however the EX60 looks like a risk. Nvidia Drive Thor could be able to a whopping 1,000 trillions of operations per second.
“By 2025, 50-60% of all world gross sales shall be electrified. By 2030, we goal to be 90-100% electrified,” CEO Jim Rowan stated. This contains plug-in hybrids and absolutely electrical fashions. Though he admitted that he doesn’t anticipate the transition to be linear. Totally different markets will see diverse phases of development.
At a separate roundtable with reporters, Rowan doubled down on his dedication in direction of EVs. He stated EVs have been a no brainer in terms of effectivity. “On the finish of the day, know-how will win. We’re dedicated to EVs. Electrical is the longer term.”
Nonetheless, it was a disgrace that Volvo did not say a lot about the way it was planning to enhance the driving vary and charging expertise of its EVs—two elements that stay central to the EV transition. However above all, some actually high-tech, absolutely electrical and PHEV Volvos are coming this decade to the U.S., Europe and different elements of the world and that is nice for the EV transition.
