Volvo's EM90 electric minivan to revolutionize China's EV range

author: FutureCar Staff    

Volvo has announced its first fully electric minivan, called the EM90, and has confirmed that it will be available in China. The upcoming model is designed to provide a comfortable and luxurious experience for passengers, resembling a Scandinavian living room on the move.

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. The Zeekr 009 boasts impressive performance, with an acceleration of under 4.5 seconds from 0 to 60 mph and a drag coefficient of 0.27. It also incorporates advanced driver-assist safety technology from Mobileye.

Volvo Cars is owned by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding, and Zeekr is an affiliated brand. The luxury van's release comes as Volvo scales back its sedan plans in certain markets, such as the U.K., in favor of electric vehicles. The company aims to transition its entire lineup to EVs by the end of the decade.

In recent years, the minivan segment in the U.S. has experienced stagnation, partly due to consumers' preference for SUVs and a lack of innovation. However, Toyota introduced a hybrid-only Sienna minivan in 2021, which seats up to eight people and achieves a fuel efficiency rating of 36 mpg.

In the U.S. market, there is also the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid minivan that offers 32 electric miles on a single charge and 30 mpg combined in hybrid mode. This model has demonstrated a 24% reduction in lifetime carbon emissions compared to non-hybrid minivans. Chrysler has expressed its intention to continue innovating in the minivan market, including the development of electric versions in its future lineup.

The Volvo EM90 will be officially unveiled on November 12, and pre-orders will begin on the same day for customers in China.

FutureCar Staff