Volvo targets 600-mile range for next generation EVs

Volvo is developing new battery technology that will enable it to offer cars with a real-world range of 621 miles and cut re-charge times in half.

The car maker is working with Swedish battery company Northvolt to  produce the units, which are expected to be ready by 2025.

“We want to constantly increase the customer benefits of driving a pure electric Volvo car,” said Henrik Green, chief technology officer at Volvo Cars. “By simplifying the design and integration of our battery cells, we can reduce weight and maximise space, allowing for considerable improvements in battery capacity, range and charging times.”

The next-generation Volvo XC90 will be the first car to feature the new battery technology, it is expected to be revealed next year.

As Volvo introduces its third generation of electric cars, it plans to integrate the battery pack into the floor of the car, using the cell structure for overall vehicle stiffness and improving efficiency.

Battery cells from Volvo Cars’ planned collaboration with Northvolt aim to be produced using 100 per cent renewable energy, while it is working with other battery suppliers to do the same by 2025.

Customer data to lead safety improvements

Volvo is looking towards processing data from customer cars in real time, if customers choose to share data, to help it make its cars safer.

By allowing customers to choose and be a part of improving safety levels and traffic safety in this way, Volvo says it can make “continuous and much faster” improvements to its cars.

Customer data would enable Volvo engineers to validate and verify autonomous driving features more quickly and then roll out updates over-the-air.