Volvo Cars Launches New Electric SUV to Ease Range Anxiety

• The EX60 can add 340 km of range in just 10 minutes of charging under optimal conditions, enabling quick recharging during short stops
• The model is Volvo's all-electric successor to its best-selling XC60 combustion engine car and the first built on the company's electric-only platform
• Volvo plans to recall certain 2024-2026 EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance vehicles due to rare overheating risks that could potentially cause battery fires

Summary

Volvo Cars announced its new EX60 electric mid-sized SUV on January 8, addressing consumer range anxiety with an impressive 810 km (503 miles) driving range on a single charge. The vehicle, launching globally on January 21, significantly exceeds the typical 600 km range of comparable electric SUVs and features rapid charging capability that adds 340 km of range in approximately 10 minutes under optimal conditions.

The EX60 serves as the all-electric successor to Volvo's best-selling XC60 combustion engine model and marks the first vehicle built on the company's dedicated electric-only platform. Full pricing and specifications will be unveiled at the January 21 launch.

The announcement comes as automakers worldwide face challenges accelerating EV adoption, with consumers remaining hesitant due to limited charging infrastructure and range concerns, often choosing plug-in hybrids instead. While the EX60's range is competitive globally, some Chinese market vehicles—including Tesla's long-range Model Y and Geely's Zeekr 7X—also advertise ranges exceeding 800 km.

Volvo's EV rollout has encountered obstacles, including software glitches, supply-chain constraints, and tariff-related delays affecting previous models. Concurrently, the company announced a recall of certain 2024-2026 EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance vehicles due to rare overheating risks that could potentially lead to battery fires in worst-case scenarios.

The Swedish automaker, owned by China's Geely, aims to overcome previous launch challenges and capture market share from range-anxious consumers through the EX60's enhanced capabilities.