Sweden has created its fair share of global brands, but none with a reputation as good as Volvo Cars, when it comes to passenger safety. Volvo cars is an automotive manufacturer based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Volvo Group has a long history of success and was established in 1927. Since then the company has had multiple owners, to include the US based, Ford Motor Company. Its current owner is a Chinese automotive behemoth, Geely Automobile, which acquired Volvo Cars in 2010. Geely also owns the automotive brands Lotus Cars and Polestar.
Volvo Cars was one of the first mainstream OEM’s to commit to a push towards zero-tailpipe emission road transportation. In 2017, the company announced its intention to ‘electrify every car in our range’. Volvo is not new to ‘electric propulsion’ and had already deployed a test fleet of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2010 and had launched the first plug-in hybrid diesel car in 2012. In March 2021, the company announced its ambition to be a fully electric brand by 2030. The company is also committed to becoming ‘climate neutral’ across the value chain by 2040. The name Volvo is derived from Latin. It means “I roll’. The logo is an ancient chemistry sign for iron, signifying Volvo’s commitment to using high quality iron.
The company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
The Volvo XC90 internal combustion engine (ICE) SUV has been available since 2002 and is currently in the second generation. The first generation was unveiled at the 2002 North American International’s Auto Show. The XC90 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has been available since 2015. The e-SUV was given a facelift in early 2021.
The XC90 Recharge PHEV is one of the very few environment-friendly seven-seater family SUVs available in the premium segment. Though the e-SUV does not come cheap, the XC90 plug-in offers a compelling proposition for private and company-car drivers, seeking lower motoring costs and practicality, but, without compromising on quality.
The Volvo electric vehicle (EV) has a 18.8 kWh onboard EV battery, with a WLTP certified zero-emission electric range up to 42.9 miles. Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) should comfortably deliver an emission-free pure electric range over 35 miles.
For those new to electric driving, it is worth noting that many factors influence the real-world electric car range. Some of these include: driving style, temperature, elevation, wind, rain, road surface, wheel size, onboard services used, etc.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car. A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Volvo offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.
Despite the premium price tag, it is disappointing to note that the XC90 PHEV does not offer DC charging. The EV has a 3.6 kW onboard charger. The Volvo electric vehicle can be charged 0% to 100% via a dedicated EV charging station in 5 hours. We at e-zoomed recommend charging the EV overnight, when the electricity tariff rates are cheaper.
The XC90 PHEV is an efficient vehicle. Volvo claims a fuel economy up to 217.3 mpg. Of course, similar to the real-world electric range, the real-world fuel economy will be impacted by a number of factors. Bottom-line, achieving anywhere close to the manufacturer claimed economy, the use of the pure electric mode on a regular basis, will be imperative.
Having said that, the XC90 plug-in hybrid will deliver a better fuel economy, compared to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, which delivers 32.5 mpg. Of course, if you are driving primarily on motorways and using mostly the combustion engine, the PHEV will deliver a fuel economy closer to the conventional petrol variant.
The XC90 has tailpipe emission up to 29g (CO2/km), benefiting the local air quality. Moreover, company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate for the PHEV, given the lower emissions. In comparison, the conventional petrol variant has tailpipe emissions up to 197 (CO2/km)!
In terms of practicality, cabin space, interior quality, standard equipment, safety features and technology, the Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid proposition is compelling. The 7-seat configuration still offers ample space, headroom and legroom for passengers.
Despite the placement of the onboard EV battery, the boot space available is decent (640 L). Also on offer are: Google built in, advanced air purifier, head-up display, intelligent safety assistance, blind spot information system, 360° parking view and more. It also offers partially recycled carpets and leather free upholstery.
The all-wheel drive Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid is available in the T8 powertrain. The EV pairs a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor. The PHEV can achieve 0-62 mph in 5.5 seconds. The T8 delivers 455 hp (400 Nm torque). The top speed is 112 mph.
The EV is suitable for both families and company-car drivers. Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate for electric cars. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet.
You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
The Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: Volvo)
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