Volvo Cars is raising the stakes in the crowded compact electric SUV market with its upcoming EX60. The battery-powered successor to its bestselling XC60 will travel farther and charge faster than any electric Volvo before.
The EX60, set for full disclosure on January 21, is positioned as a critical model for Volvo as it tries to persuade hesitant buyers that a midsize electric SUV can replace a combustion vehicle without changing driving habits.
The company says the EX60 will deliver up to 810 kilometers of range on a full charge, a figure that would put it among the longest-range electric SUVs on sale, narrowly beating the new iX3 Neue Klasse (800 kilometers).
800-volt architecture
Volvo has been gradually releasing technical details ahead of the reveal, underscoring how central the battery and charging performance are to the vehicle’s pitch.
Under optimal conditions, the EX60 is expected to recover roughly 340 kilometers of driving range in about 10 minutes when connected to a high-output DC fast charger. The system relies on an 800-volt electrical architecture and a peak charging capacity of up to 400 kilowatts.
Executives say the focus on range and charging speed stems from persistent customer concerns about long-distance travel. The development team prioritized reducing anxiety about running out of power, particularly in regions where public charging coverage remains uneven.
Technological shift
The EX60 also marks a technological shift inside Volvo. It is the first model built on the automaker’s new SPA3 electric-only platform. This integrates the battery directly into the vehicle structure using a cell-to-body design.
Volvo claims the approach improves energy efficiency while trimming weight. Electric motors developed in-house are also intended to reduce losses and extend usable range.
Another first for the brand is the adoption of megacasting, a manufacturing technique that replaces hundreds of smaller structural components with a single large aluminum casting. Volvo says the process sheds roughly 200 kilograms and simplifies production.
While the method has been popularized by Tesla, it is not without drawbacks as it can elevate repair costs after serious crashes.
Pricing and full specifications will be confirmed later, with deliveries planned for September. The rollout comes as Volvo works to restore confidence after software issues and delays affected earlier electric models, including the EX30 and EX90.
