Volvo boosts EV range of PHEV models to 56 miles

Volvo has increased the battery capacity on its 60 and 90 series plug-in hybrid models, allowing them to deliver a zero-emission range of up to 56 miles.

The new powertrain will be fitted to all newly-ordered S60, XC60, S90 and XC90 models with a T6 or T8 plug-in hybrid engine. The first customer deliveries of the new variant will commence at the start of 2022.

The main improvements include a new long-range battery, featuring a third layer of cells to increase nominal energy from 11.6kWh to 18.8kWh, and a more powerful rear electric motor now delivering 145PS.

The additional electric power results in a total combined output of 350PS for Recharge T6 and 455PS for Recharge T8 models, making the latter the most powerful Volvo cars ever produced. Besides the new powertrain, new upgrades include one-pedal drive on specific models.

The increased battery capability means that more customers will be able to drive primarily in pure electric mode, and Volvo Cars estimates that the new powertrain has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to around 50%

Henrik Green, chief technology officer at Volvo Cars, said: “Driving a plug-in hybrid is often a stepping-stone to going fully electric. We believe that this upgrade will show to many that driving electric is the future, and take us closer to our 2030 ambition of becoming fully electric.”

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