- 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 programs on its automobiles.
- Tesla Mannequin Y-rivaling EX60 electrical SUV will debut the next-generation SPA3 platform. ES90 electrical sedan might be unveiled quickly.
On the Volvo Capital Markets Day presentation in Sweden in the present day, 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 may launch worldwide by the tip of the last decade.
Volvo’s EV progress 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 mentioned it wasn’t racing in opposition to time to develop AI and software program however was dedicated to doing it the fitting means to assist it obtain its objective 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 mentioned 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 mentioned in the course of the Capital Markets Day presentation.
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The ES90 will journey on the identical SPA2 structure because the EX90, however “it will likely be for international audiences, together with the EU, U.S. and Asia. However China could also be its greatest market,” Severinson mentioned.
Additional 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 might 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 improvement, however it wasn’t instantly clear if it was a part of the 5 EVs which might be deliberate for this decade.
SPA3 Platform
Volvo mentioned the SPA3 platform will function its third technology electrical motors. The present SPA2 platform motors have a 91% effectivity. SPA3 motors might be 93% environment friendly, Volvo mentioned. For perspective, the typical thermal effectivity of inside combustion engines is about 35%.
It is going to additionally function structural battery packs—one thing Tesla did years in the past—and they are going to be outfitted with new excessive vitality density cells. Curiously, Volvo mentioned the scalability of this platform would permit it to make automobiles which might be bigger than the EX90 and smaller than the EX30.
Volvo
Volvo teased the ES90 electrical sedan in the course of the 90/90 day presentation in Sweden this week.
“Superset” Tech Stack
Among the many greatest bulletins in the present day 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 outfitted with.
“Like a set of constructing blocks, it may be configured in many alternative methods. Every of our new automobiles might 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 mentioned.
“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 international markets,” Severinson mentioned. “Three extra automobiles stay in energetic improvement 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 mentioned 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 chance. Nvidia Drive Thor could be able to a whopping 1,000 trillions of operations per second.
“By 2025, 50-60% of all international gross sales might be electrified. By 2030, we intention to be 90-100% electrified,” CEO Jim Rowan mentioned. This consists of plug-in hybrids and totally electrical fashions. Though he admitted that he doesn’t anticipate the transition to be linear. Totally different markets will see diverse phases of progress.
At a separate roundtable with reporters, Rowan doubled down on his dedication in the direction of EVs. He mentioned EVs had 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.”
Nevertheless, 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 points that stay central to the EV transition. However above all, some actually high-tech, totally electrical and PHEV Volvos are coming this decade to the U.S., Europe and different components of the world and that is nice for the EV transition.
