Reshaping China's EV Lineup with Volvo's EM90 Electric Minivan

author: FutureCar Staff    

Volvo has announced its first fully electric minivan, called the EM90, and confirmed that it will be available in China. The Swedish automaker describes the upcoming model as a "Scandinavian living room on the move," designed to maximize comfort and convenience during time spent in the car.

The EM90 is expected to be based on the Zeekr 009 MPV, a six-seater model that features CATL's cell-to-pack battery technology. With a drag coefficient of 0.27 and next-generation driver-assist safety tech, the 009 can accelerate to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds. Volvo Cars, owned by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding, is affiliated with the Zeekr brand.

One of the strengths of the Zeekr 009 is its driving range, thanks in part to the battery technology. On the CLTC cycle, it has a range of up to 511 miles, which is likely to translate to around 400 EPA miles if Volvo decides to offer the same battery tech for the U.S. market.

This luxury minivan comes at a time when Volvo is shifting its focus away from sedans in certain markets. While it has recently decided to discontinue sedan models in the U.K., no such announcement has been made for the U.S. market. However, with plans to transition to an all-electric lineup by the end of the decade, Volvo is clearly reshaping its vehicle offerings. This is evident with the upcoming U.S.-bound EX30 EV, priced at $35,000 and manufactured in China.

The minivan segment in the U.S. has experienced stagnation in recent years, partly due to consumers' preference for SUVs that offer a rugged style but less practicality. Additionally, a lack of innovation in the minivan segment has contributed to its decline. Toyota introduced a hybrid-only Sienna minivan in 2021, which seats up to eight and achieves a rating of 36 mpg.

In the U.S. market, there is already a plug-in minivan available. Since 2017, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has offered 32 electric miles on a single charge, followed by 30 mpg combined in hybrid mode. According to data from Chrysler, this hybrid model has a 24% reduction in lifetime carbon emissions compared to a non-hybrid minivan. Chrysler has expressed its intention to continue innovating in the minivan market and plans to introduce an electric version in its future lineup.

The EM90 will be unveiled on November 12, with pre-orders starting on the same day for customers in China, according to Volvo.

FutureCar Staff